Nehawu questions removal of senior officials at NW Department

The National Education, Health and Allied Workers’ Union (Nehawu) in the North West has accused the provincial Department of Economic Development, Environment, Conservation and Tourism of unfairly targeting and removing officials in senior positions since the dawn of the 7th administration.

The union’s reaction comes as MEC Bitsa Lenkopane removed two senior managers, the acting Head of the Department (HOD) and a Chief Executive Officer (CEO).

The acting HOD Lebo Diale was replaced by Relebohile Mafokane who is no stranger to controversy.

He was removed from the same position at the provincial Social Development Department for allegedly being involved in a scandalous security tender worth R134 million.

It was also alleged that he was appointed irregularly without qualifications.

The acting CEO of Golden Leopard Resort, Aphelele Mthinywa only occupied the office for a month before he was let go.

The latest target is the North West Parks and Tourism Board CEO, Thami Matshego who has been placed on precautionary suspension.

She occupied the position for three years.

Matshego’s suspension is shrouded in mystery but Nehawu’s regional chairperson in the North West, Zanele Lawu believes the entity was stabilising under her leadership.

“As Nehawu, we are quite surprised by the move to suspend the CEO of North West Parks and Tourism Board because it’s our belief that under her stewardship, the entity started to show signs of improvement and stability. However, we don’t not know the reasons for her suspension and we would not like to speculate.”

She vowed that they will not tolerate the department’s victimization of its members.

MEC Lenkopane says they will not disclose relationships between the employer and the employee.

“Labour unions are registered and have got a responsibility to lead the employees as representatives. They know the processes and procedures. The responsibility of the department is to render services to the people and to make sure that it actualises its mandate,” she says, adding there are processes that Nehawu can follow to lodge complaints.