Latest axe falls on Amatola Water CFO

THE latest senior manager at Amatola Water to get the chop is its chief financial officer.

Kevin Govindsamy, suspended in August after allegations of misconduct, was fired last week. He became the third senior person to be fired by the water utility this year, following former CEO Lefadi Makibinyane and HR manager Nolitha Klu.

The troubled Eastern Cape water utility’s acting chief executive officer, Asanda Gidana, said last week they had concluded the disciplinary process, which had recommended that Govindsamy be dismissed for gross misconduct.

“The dismissal is effective from December 1,” said Gidana. “Kwandiwe Mviko, who has been acting as the chief financial officer, will continue to do so until a permanent appointment is made.”

Gidana said Amatola Water had achieved an unqualified audit outcome for the 2016-17 financial year as part of its first audit by the auditor-general.

“The CFO is part of the leadership team and key to Amatola Water continuing with its unqualified audit track record.

“Hence the appointment will be fasttracked while still adhering to the necessary processes.”

Makibinyane was given the boot two days before his case was to be heard at the CCMA in September.

Last month, Amatola took Makibinyane’s case to court demanding that he pay back over R1-million. The money was for: ● His salary increase; ● Backpay and a salary increase incurred for full-time SA Municipal Workers Union shopsteward Victor Totolo; and

● R50 000 in backpay given to Klu upon her reinstatement. Makibinyane is defending the matter. Makibinyane, Klu and Totolo were suspended early in the year.

The Dispatch reported this year that a report by Water and Sanitation Minister Nomvula Mokonyane revealed that the absence of proper structures at the entity was crippling services.

The report found that the Amatola Water Board had no permanent staff in its key positions. Currently the entity has no permanent people in the positions of CEO, CFO, and heads of supply chain, corporate services, planning and development, and ICT.

The entity said filling the vacant positions was under way “as a matter of urgency”. —