SEDIBENG. – The Democratic Alliance (DA) in Emfuleni is demanding clarity regarding the employment status and what it said is continued involvement of Emfuleni Local Municipality’s (ELM) Supply Chain Management Manager, Jason Mkhwane.

It is said that during a recent council meeting, DA Councillor Maureen Dosoudil asked whether Mkhwane was currently on ‘sabbatical leave or actively working for the municipality, and councillors were allegedly informed that Mkhwane was on sabbatical leave (an extended, employer-approved break from work).

However, the DA said, documents signed as recently as May 18, this year, indicate that Mkhwane continues to be actively involved in municipal supply chain matters.

Mkhwane also serves as the Regional Secretary of the Sedibeng Regional Executive Committee (REC) of the ANC.

It is said that a group known as the “Vaal 16” made up of ANC councillors reportedly at odds with the regional ANC executive have also written to ANC Secretary-General, Fikile Mbalula, seeking clarity regarding Mkhwane’s sabbatical leave status and alleged continued political interference within the ELM.

“He remains actively involved…”

“Based on the information available, it appears that Mr Mkhwane remains actively involved in municipal supply chain affairs despite officially being on sabbatical leave,” said DA’s Maureen Dosoudil, adding that this raises several serious questions such as:

1. Is Mr Mkhwane still receiving a salary from Emfuleni Local Municipality while on sabbatical leave?

2. Is he still actively involved in supply chain management at the municipality?

3. If he is on sabbatical leave, why is he continuing to sign official documents?

4. What role, if any, is Mr Mkhwane currently performing within the municipality?

Dosoudil is said to have previously raised concerns when the sabbatical leave policy was tabled before council for approval.  At the time, she argued that the policy appeared specifically designed to accommodate Mkhwane’s appointment within the ANC regional executive while protecting his municipal position.

” The sabbatical leave is exceptionally generous…”

“The DA further notes that the sabbatical leave policy is exceptionally generous and appears inconsistent with generally accepted norms. The policy reportedly allows beneficiaries to retain municipal benefits, including pension and medical aid contributions, while earning a full salary elsewhere, with sabbatical leave extending for up to three years. The Democratic Alliance will submit formal questions to the MEC for Local Government to determine why Mr Mkhwane continues to sign municipal documents while council maintains that he is on sabbatical leave,” Dosoudil said.

“I am not on leave…”

Dousodil further said that, should it emerge that Mkhwane received a municipal salary while improperly performing official duties during his sabbatical leave, the DA will call for the recovery of any such funds, she said.

Issuing a response on the debacle, Mkhwane told Sedibeng Ster that he has never applied for sabbatical leave.

“What they are referring to is my response regarding normal leave, which I was entitled to as an employee.”

He adds that he is employed as a Supply Chain Manager at the ELM.

“I’ m not on leave,” he ended.