Limpopo premier, DG committed criminal offence, says Nehawu while DA speaks of cadre deployment

NATIONAL Education Health and Allied Workers Union (Nehawu) in Limpopo believes the premier, Chupu Mathabatha, and provincial director-general, Nape Nchabeleng, have committed a criminal offence by failing in their duty to report fraud.

This follows the arrest of human resources senior manager in the premier’s office, Mbobole Michael Maseko, for misrepresenting his academic qualifications. Maseko was granted R25 000 bail on Tuesday.

The union in a statement said it raised the allegations against Maseko, and also allegations of violation of Section 34 of the Prevention and Combating of Corrupt Activities Act (PRECCA) by the premier and DG with the Hawks in 2020.

Section 34 of the Act places a duty on certain persons to report certain offences that include fraud, corruption, theft, extortion, forgery and uttering of a forged document. Failure to report is a criminal offence.

“The premier’s posture was equally supported by Mr Maseko and the director-general, who said that the union is being disingenuous and claimed that branch officials of the union are trying to derail charges of misconduct against them.

“As Nehawu, we are of the view that both the premier and the director-general have committed a criminal offence by failing in their duty to report a case of fraud and corruption even when they were aware that allegations exists that Mr Maseko committed acts of fraud and corruption,” the union said.

Provincial government spokesperson, Ndavhe Ramakuela, said the office of the premier, whilst it remained committed to upholding integrity and transparency in all its operations, will not be making any comments on Maseko”s case until its finalisation.

The Democratic Alliance has described Maseko’s case as an example of cadre deployment: “The position of Senior Manager: Human Resources is a strategic position, yet adequate vetting was clearly neglected.”