MBOMBELA – After being employed for almost two years, the chief executive officer (CEO) of the Mpumalanga Economic Growth Agency (MEGA) was found not to be the right man for the job. Adv Boyce Mkhize left the agency on Tuesday.
MEC for economic development and tourism, Mr Eric Kholwane, under which the entity falls, told Lowvelder yesterday that he had taken the decision on the recommendation of the agency’s interim board. Mkhize had been the CEO of this entity, which was tasked with the province’s economic development since December 2012. However, the board decided that Mkhize was not the right man to lead the agency.
“We need people to help us take the agency forward,” Kholwane said.
His vision for MEGA is that the entity must not cost the government money, but instead make money for the province. “How do we phase out putting money into the agency to a turnaround where it makes money for us? We can’t continue to pump money into it. We need people to shape MEGA so it starts to live up to expectations,” Kholwane said.
It was the interim board, temporarily appointed after the previous one was disbanded by the premier a few months ago, who decided Mkhize was not suitable for the challenge. Mr Thulane Nobela was appointed as the acting CEO for now.
Kholwane said he had not ordered an investigation into what was going on at MEGA during Mkhize’s term but he had ordered a skills audit of all executives. “We will not have executives who do not meet the minimum requirements.”
Kholwane would not divulge what amount they settled with Mkhize whose employment contract had not expired.
- Mkhize had received a controversial golden handshake before when he was paid R1,7 million to leave the board of trustees of Liberty Life. The High Court later ordered him to repay it.
- The chairman of MEGA’s interim board Mr Siyabonga Mahlangu has stepped down to take up full-time employment with Telkom.
- Mr Davies Mculu has been appointed as interim chairman.
