MBOMBELA – Following allegations of malfeasance and nepotism associated with the 2021 intake of students at the Mpumalanga Traffic College, the process has been nullified.
This is after the Premier, Refilwe Mtsweni-Tsipane declared the process “fatally flawed” exactly a day after the Economic Freedom Fighters opened a case against the officials from the Department of Community Safety, Security and Liaison (DCSSL). They are accused of selecting their family members for the traffic officers’ learnership programme According to a statement from the EFF, another case was also opened against the premier for allegedly playing a role in the appointment of eight children and relatives of her bodyguards.
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After a meeting between Mtsweni-Tsipane and the DCSSL was held following numerous complaints of manipulation in the build-up to the intake of learners at the college, she expressed disappointment.
In a statement she explained that was disappointed to learn in the meeting that proper due diligence had not been done by the Department in relation to some of the material requirements that had to be met by prospective applicants.
“Considering that the 2021 intake of students was a disproportional reflection of the geographic make up of Mpumalanga, I have come to the conclusion that the process undertaken by the Department was procedurally and fatally flawed.”
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“As a result, the process, in its entirety has been nullified and will recommence with proper and effective due diligence that shall be overseen and verified by independent recruitment specialists. In essence all 32000 applicants will undergo the process of evaluation.” said the premier.
The EFF welcomed the premier’s decision stating that the act of nepotism should be exposed everywhere across the spheres of government in the province. Meanwhile, Mtsweni-Tsipane’s spokesperson, Sibongile Mkani-Mpolweni confirmed that disciplinary processes will follow for officials involved.
