Premier speaks out on investigations
Sex-for-jobs probes morphed into examination of other claims
EASTERN Cape premier Phumulo Masualle has finally broken his silence on allegations that he has been sitting on the reports of various investigations into sex-for-jobs allegations.
Sacked cooperative governance head of department Nombulelo “Bea” Hackula had accused Masualle of keeping the reports under wraps, and not acting against those implicated.
The investigations were conducted in 2014 after it was revealed that some senior government officials were using their positions to solicit sexual favours from junior employees and interns.
Masualle said two investigations sanctioned to look into the claims had not implicated anyone, but instead revealed claims of recruitment and procurement irregularities. These in turn, he said, had since been referred to the office of the accountant-general for further probes.
Speaking at Bhisho State House on Friday, the premier said allegations that he was keeping any reports under wraps “were baseless, unfounded and factually not true”.
The provincial government had in 2014 sanctioned an investigation into the sexfor-jobs allegations after complaints were raised in various government departments.
Masualle appointed a commission led by then safety and liaison HoD Ngaka Mosehane to probe the claims.
A similar probe, led by Advocate Vusumzi Msiwa, was sanctioned by the Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (Cogta) after similar allegations against senior administrators emerged in 2014.
Masualle told the media the probes had found nothing with regards to the sex-forjobs allegations.
He said instead allegations of recruitment and procurement irregularities in some departments, including Cogta, his office, and the roads and public works department, had been reported.
He said that the accountant-general’s office was “nearing completion on such matters and we are expecting a report from them soon”.
“There was never any evidence to corroborate such sex-for-jobs claims. Instead, from those who made submissions we received allegations that bordered on inappropriate conduct in respect of certain appointments.” Masualle took a swipe at Hackula, saying she “was clutching at straws” with the claims he had swept the reports under the carpet.
Hackula was axed by Masualle for submitting a late application for a deviation to treasury, among other transgressions.
She later accused Masualle of being “inconsistent” in dealing with cases brought to his attention, citing his alleged inaction over the sex-for-jobs probes and corruption probes.
She alleged he had taken action against her because she was a woman. Hackula could not be reached for comment yesterday. —