Limpopo Speaker responds to EFF’s tribalism and nepotism claims
The party accused Makoma Makhurupetje of violating human resources policies to favour a particular employee in a senior position in the Speaker's office.
POLOKWANE – The Speaker of Limpopo Legislature, Makoma Makhurupetje, has strongly rejected allegations of tribalism and nepotism levelled against her by the EFF.
These allegations were raised during a service delivery march to the Office of the Premier last Wednesday, where the party accused Makhurupetje of violating human resources policies to favour a particular employee in a senior position in the Speaker’s office.
The EFF claimed that Makhurupetje altered retirement policies to accommodate someone close to retirement age, and that institutional procedures for appointing staff were ignored.
The official in question had reportedly been suspended by the Mopani District Municipality in 2015, which is the area where Makhurupetje was born.
EFF provincial chairperson, Lawrence Mapoulo, also criticised the work environment in the legislature, describing it as “volatile” since Makhurupetje’s arrival. He claimed that staff had been subjected to unfair disciplinary action, which he described as “kangaroo courts,” and accused Makhurupetje of fostering an atmosphere of intimidation disguised as strategic planning.
The service delivery march, which was attended by the South African Council of Churches, the Water Crisis Forum, Seshego Polokwane Taxi Association, and local residents, was focused on delivering a memorandum of demands to the Premier, Dr Phophi Ramathuba.
The marchers called for immediate action to address a severe shortage of unsafe drinking water, high electricity costs, and unemployment.
The allegations against Makhurupetje have also gained attention due to the high unemployment rate in the province.
Limpopo Legislature responded swiftly, dismissing the EFF’s claims as part of a smear campaign based on “cheap corridor gossip and conspiracy”.
A statement from Legislature emphasised that recruitment and appointments follow the rules and policies of the Legislature, with the sole responsibility for these matters lying with the accounting officer.
Makhurupetje herself responded to the allegations, calling them “malicious and defamatory.”
“I reject with contempt the malicious and defamatory utterances against me by the EFF and some not so faceless individuals trying to damage my integrity for cheap political gain.”
She further explained that when she was deployed, she inherited a case of maladministration and nepotism, which was being investigated by the Hawks, as reported to the police in January 2023. The Auditor General had also flagged these issues during the 2022/23 financial year, and Makhurupetje indicated that the matter was sub judice, preventing her from providing further details.
