Mayor Phalatse notes misrepresentation of JRA CEO’s qualifications

Both MMC for Transport Clr Funzi Ngobeni and Johannesburg Executive Mayor Dr Mpho Phalatse commented on the issue regarding the qualifications of the CEO of the Johannesburg Roads Agency (JRA), Tshepo Mahanuke.

Mayor Phalatse noted the allegations that Mahanuke misrepresented himself in the recruitment process.

“We take these allegations seriously. I have since asked Ngobeni and the chairperson of the JRA Board, Thabo Motloung for a full report on the matter. We will keep the public informed of any decision and steps taken on the matter. This matter must be addressed urgently and with full integrity,” she said.

Ngobeni said he has taken note of a report in the Daily Maverick, calling into question the suitability of Mahanuke for the position he presently occupies.

“I assure the six million residents of the City of Johannesburg, the mayor, the multi-party government as well as employees of the City and the JRA, that I take the allegations contained in the Daily Maverick seriously. These allegations have the potential to sully the good work done thus far, to bring stability to an organisation that, in recent times, has not lived up to the responsibility for which it was created,” he said.

In the 2021/22 financial year, the then administration decided to retain a significant portion of the JRA’s budget in the office of the city manager, a clear demonstration of the lack of trust that administration had in the then management.

The board was also depleted, with a chairperson on suspension and executive management largely comprised of people in acting capacities.

In February this year, work to stabilise the JRA began with a process to recruit heads of departments of Infrastructure Development and Public Relations and Stakeholder Engagement as well as key middle-management vacancies at depot level.

Crucial though, was the vacancy for a CEO, for which Mahanuke applied and was ultimately deemed to be the successful candidate.

“While there are challenges, we have begun to see a turnaround in the ability of the JRA to respond to queries from residents. What is clear is that due to our ageing infrastructure, the JRA and other entities of the city are required to attend to frequent service requests. Nonetheless, we remain committed to delivering equitable service delivery.

“Considering the above, I am disappointed in the impression created of the JRA CEO, arising from the report in the Daily Maverick.

“Mahanuke has been portrayed as an individual who embellished his CV, to raise his favourability for the position of CEO of the JRA. The information at our disposal, which was verified and informed the board’s decision to appoint Mahanuke, were these qualifications:

National Diploma in Mechanical Engineering (Vaal University of Technology) and BTech in Operations Management (Vaal University of Technology).

“The minimum requirements for the post, as advertised, were a bachelors degree in operational management or business or engineering or relevant NQF Level 7 equivalent,” explained Ngobeni.

From the onset, Mahanuke declared in his CV that the doctorate that has caused much consternation in the public sphere was an honorary degree. The CV submitted by Mahanuke clearly distinguishes earned qualifications from those bestowed upon him. It is these qualifications that were considered.

“I accept that there are conventions governing the use of a title arising from an honorary degree that may have been broken and caused concern but equally, I accept that Mahanuke neither wilfully mislead myself or the board in any way nor pretended to possess qualifications he did not earn. Any honorary degree Mahanuke was bestowed carried no weight in appointing him CEO of the JRA.

“Further to that, no evidence has been presented to me that Mahanuke offered any inducements in return for an honorary award. I once again assure residents of the City of Johannesburg, the mayor, the multi-party government as well as employees of the city and the JRA, that I take the allegations contained in the Daily Maverick seriously.

“The board has promised to undertake an independent verification process to test Mahanuke’s bonafide, in light of the public’s concerns arising from media reports. I welcome this decision. It is important to restore confidence in the work that we do and the decisions we take. Any further action should be informed by the outcomes of this board process,” noted Ngobeni.

JRA CEO Mahanuke is on special leave

Mayor Mpho Phalatse and MMC for Transport Funzi Ngobeni take note of and support the decision of the Board of the Johannesburg Roads Agency (JRA), as communicated by the chairperson Thabo Motloung, to place the CEO Tshepo Mahanuke on special leave pending an independent investigation process.

Following a thorough consultation, the move to place Mahanuke on special leave was deemed the most appropriate to allow for a fair process by an independent entity to determine the facts.

Mahanuke’s decision to willingly subject himself to this process is also noted and commended.

“We are pleased that the process initiated by the Board is expected to be completed by November 30. A speedy but thorough process will allow the JRA, the city at large and the multi-party government, to focus on fulfilling the urgent service delivery mandate before us, with little distraction,” they said.