Brazen return of suspended Bay officials defies belief

The audacity of suspended Nelson Mandela Bay officials who returned to work last week is a slap in the face of municipal bosses, casting doubt over their leadership and control of the administration. The return of the officials, particularly housing delivery director Mvuleni Mapu, has stirred controversy, raising serious questions about accountability within the municipality. He was suspended after his arrest in connection with a R12.8m tender to build RDP houses in Wells Estate.

Mapu, who has had many run-ins with the law over the years, argues that his return was justified, drawing parallels with city manager Noxolo Nqwazi arriving back at City Hall last month.

“What is good for Peter must also be good for Paul,” he said. Nqwazi returned to work as her disciplinary hearing had not started within three months of her precautionary suspension, effectively causing it to lapse.

But she was placed on precautionary suspension as a senior manager — a process which is regulated by disciplinary regulations for senior managers.

Other officials, by contrast, are regulated by a disciplinary code collective agreement.

Mapu is not classified as a senior manager.

And neither are the two clerks placed on precautionary suspension in April who tried to return last week but were sent home instead.

They were suspended after a preliminary probe by the city’s internal audit department into allegations of fraud and corruption stemming from the explosion of an electricity substation at the Coega IDZ in March.

The fact that these employees returned to work amid ongoing investigations into allegations of misconduct demonstrates a blatant disregard for the gravity of the situation and the potential consequences of their actions.

All three have serious questions to answer and they must state their case during the disciplinary hearing where a presiding officer will weigh the evidence and make a decision.

Their return to work represents a troubling display of disregard for the rules. It is imperative that municipal bosses demonstrate firm leadership and come down hard on those who have returned to work while still on suspension.