Ex-MEC, provincial DG slammed for pay hikes

OUSTED former MEC for roads and public works Thandiswa Marawu yesterday came under fire in absentia in Bhisho legislature for raising the salary of her HoD James Mlawu, a job that is the preserve of the premier.

Marawu elevated Mlawu’s salary level in 2013 from 15 (DDG level) to 16 (DG) after Mlawu motivated that he deserved to earn better as he was maintaining two positions in the job he still occupies today.

Marawu did not have powers to do so, the office of the premier (OTP) portfolio committee heard yesterday. The committee, chaired by MPL Sicelo Gqobana, also heard about three more questionable salary increases.

Public Service Commission (PSC) provincial director Loyiso Mgengo told the committee three HoD salary hikes in 2015 – human settlements; safety and liaison; and sport, recreation, arts and culture – were “problematic”.

These “irregular” elevations were laid at the door of the provincial administration boss, DG Marion Mbina-Mthembu, who is alleged to have issued the instruction, Mgengo told the committee.

“When we engaged the OTP at the time of this investigation we picked up that there was no job evaluation conducted before adjusting the three HoDs’ salary levels and we did not receive a signed copy of the memorandum which was the basis for all this.

“Worse still, when we inquired from the OTP [the] chief of of staff could not find the document.”

The PSC report found Marawu went ahead and exercised powers not vested in her position when she promoted Mlawu’s salary level above that stated in the advertisement for the job.

Mlawu – who had previously worked as national Transport DG – used this argument, among others, as a reason for deserving to earn more.

It took then-new premier Phumulo Masualle 17 months – until October 2014 – to agree to the promotion of Mlawu.

Committee members inquired as to how the state was going to reclaim taxpayers’ money unduly paid to the affected HoDs and whether their salary levels would go back to what they originally were.

PSC provincial commissioner Singatha Mafanya said the premier did not have the legal basis to “stand up tomorrow” and withdraw or reverse the promotions of the four HoDs unless he approached the courts.

“If those appointments have to be nullified, you can only do that through a court of law.” —