The City of Ekurhuleni has suspended its group chief financial officer on Monday.
The council decided to suspend Gugu Pride Malaza on Thursday last week.
On Friday, the city manager issued Malaza with a letter requesting her to provide reasons as to why she should not be suspended. Upon receiving a response, the city manager found there was no basis for her not to be suspended.
Malaza was suspended effectively on Monday.
Malaza has been suspended pending the finalisation of an investigation into alleged non-disclosure of information regarding her dismissal from the South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC) as required by Regulation 11 of the Systems Act of 2000.
Further investigations are currently being conducted by the City and should be concluded within the next three months, said Phakamile Mbengashe, acting spokesperson for the executive mayor.
At the time of her appointment in 2017, the City said: “With her 14 years experience as a chartered accountant (CA), coupled with 17 years of financial management and accounting experience, as well as her experience in formulating and implementing global strategies – both operational and financial – the City of Ekurhuleni is satisfied she is the best candidate for the position of CFO.”
The Mail & Guardian in March 2014 reported the SABC had dismissed Duda as its chief financial officer, three years prior to her appointment at The City of Ekurhuleni.
According to the Mail & Guardian, Duda was suspended in September 2012 in connection with procurement and financial irregularities.
In 2014, then public protector Thuli Madonsela found that former communications minister Dina Pule had interfered “unduly” in Duda’s appointment as the SABC’s chief financial officer.
Duda, a CA at the time, denied all charges of misconduct against her in her submissions to the CCMA.
In her report, Madonsela found that acting chief operating officer Hlaudi Motsoeneng acted irregularly with the communications department’s acting deputy director general, Themba Phiri, to “orchestrate” Duda’s appointment.
“Duda was interviewed on February 7, 2012, without having applied for said post,” wrote Madonsela.
The interview took place after the board had already recommended another candidate to the then communications minister, Dina Pule, who was later removed from her job by former President Jacob Zuma.
