Turf wars cripple agencies work
LIMPOPO MEC for economic development and tourism Seaparo Sekoati has admitted that a turf war between high-ranking executives was the reason why some of the agencies reporting to his department were in disarray.
Sunday World has been following developments at the Great North Transport (GNT) where CEO Busi Mhaga was suspended and then fired as well as the Limpopo Economic Development Agency (LEDA) where CEO Sam Mafadza faced the same fate.
LEDA also fired managing director Lesley Masia without an explanation last month and it was believed he was given a multimillionrand golden handshake to go quietly.
Mhaga took her matter to the CCMA and she won a default order for reinstatement last week, which her employer is now challenging. She was chased out of the agency s offices last week Monday when she tried to report for duty.
Sekoati said that he was in support of all the decisions taken by the board of directors at both parastatals despite his knowledge that there were turf wars at the agencies.
There will always be a turf war where there are people of different skills and calibre, especially leaders and managers,” Sekoati said.
When asked about the Mhaga saga, the MEC said he was still waiting to get a report from the board about the CCMA matter.
It s going to be difficult to settle with her because she was charged with misconduct and has gone through the disciplinary process,” he said.
Mhaga confirmed that she went to work following the CCMA ruling that she must be reinstated to her position.
They asked the acting CEO (Tom Nkoana) to tell me that they had applied for a rescindment of the ruling at the CCMA, and therefore I should leave the office,” she said.
It has also emerged that Mhaga was prepared to settle with the bus company but the board was not willing to accede to her demands.
CCMA spokeswoman Laura Mseme confirmed that the arbitration ruled in favour of Mhaga. A default award was issued in favour of the employee. The employer has subsequently filed an application for rescission. A hearing date has been set down and all parties have been informed,” she said. LEDA spokeswoman Daphney Chuma said: Mhaga s matter is still under consideration at the CCMA and she has not been reinstated. The rest of the legalities regarding this case remain sub judice and LEDA and its subsidiary GNT reserve its comment until the CCMA has given the final verdict.”