Pretoria - The City of Tshwane has been found wanting for failing to keep Public Protector advocate Busisiwe Mkhwebane abreast of the steps it had taken against its former Emergency Services chief Previn Govender for misrepresenting his qualifications.
This was revealed yesterday by Mkhwebane during her visit to Tshwane House, where she hosted an annual stakeholder roadshow meeting attended by traditional leaders, non-governmental organisations, and Gauteng government officials led by Premier David Makhura.
She used the opportunity to update stakeholders on her previous reports into investigations conducted in various government entities, expressing disappointment that some of her recommendations and remedial actions had not been implemented.
Tshwane metro was also cited among entities still lagging behind in terms of adhering to the public protector’s report findings.
For example, Mkhwebane said the city was yet to submit a progress report into how it addressed Govender’s matter two years since the public protector found that his employment contract with the city was null and void in terms of the Municipal Systems Act because he did not possess the prescribed qualification before his appointment
“The insertion by Mr Govender in the application for employment at City of Tshwane form and the CV reflected that his qualification was Advanced (Associate) Diploma in Fire Technology equivalent (NQF 7) while being aware that it was not, was manifestly incorrect, false, misleading and constituted an act of misrepresentation,” she said in December 2020.
Mkhwebane said the city had promised to present an update into Govender’s matter, but to date it had not done so.
She reminded those in attendance that the report in question was about improper conduct and the irregular appointment of Govender, who was hired without the relevant qualifications.
“This has not been implemented but telephonically the municipality promised to submit a progress report file,” Mkhwebane said.
Last year, the Pretoria News reported that Govender resigned amid disciplinary proceedings instituted by the metro. His resignation followed media reports that he continued to draw a hefty salary of R167 000 while sitting at home doing nothing.
He was placed on special leave by the city in 2019 in the wake of a forensic report recommending that his contract be terminated for lying about his qualifications.
On October 3, 2019, the council took a resolution that his contract be terminated with immediate effect based on the forensic report that he did not meet the requirements for the job he applied for in 2017.
Govender’s appointment was for five years, ending on July 31, 2022, at an annual salary of between R1 219 663 and R1 829 495 a year.
During the meeting, Mkhwebane also signed a memorandum of understanding with the Gauteng government which signalled an agreement aimed at ensuring that requests for investigation-related information, among other things, are responded to promptly to expedite investigative processes.
Tshwane council speaker Dr Murunwa Makwarela said the city had the responsibility to set the highest standard for the rest of the country.
“We must be shining for all our people across South Africa. This therefore requires hard work and professional service that works for the people of the country. And ensure a corrupt-free government that is fit for purpose and performs its duties without fear or favour,” Makwarela said.
Pretoria News