MBOMBELA – The Department of Finance, Economic Development and Tourism denies that any person related to MEC Mr Eric Kholwane has been appointed in the Mpumalanga Liquor Authority (MLA).
Eleven new employees were appointed in the MLA, a parastatal under the auspices of the department, earlier this month. These were six liquor-trade inspectors, two administration officers, a board secretariat, a personal assistant to the acting chief executive Mr Angelo Sebastian and a driver/messenger.
Part of the job requirement to be a trade inspector is that a candidate possess, “Knowledge of and ability to interpret and apply relevant legislation, regulations, frameworks, standards and guidelines”.
The department denied the allegations put forward in a media enquiry, that a relative of the MEC and his former gardener was appointed as inspectors, over candidates with more experience. Shortly after the enquiry was made, the entire staff were summoned and warned not to speak to the media.
“According to our records, no person related to the MEC was appointed to any post within the MLA,” says Mr Mohau Ramodibe, head of communication in the department. “All the new appointees were appointed because they met the requirements for the posts concerned and have further performed exceptionally well in the interviews.”
Ramodibe explained that while the head inspector was not part of the interviewing panel, this was not required. The Public Service Regulations required a panelist to be of a higher rank than the position for which interviews were conducted and these were complied with, he said.
He adds, “The filling of the posts within two days after the interviews were conducted should in fact be commended by yourself as it is a sign of efficiency. This is a sign that the department has improved its turn-around time in filing posts.”
