Polokwane – Limpopo’s new Premier Stan Mathabatha will suspend some of his provincial heads of departments tomorrow after his predecessor, Cassel Mathale, failed to take action for more then seven months. Some staff members could also face criminal charges.

According to the Sunday Independent, charges have already been formulated against some staff. In the past two weeks, Mathabatha has met with Public Service and Administration director-general Mashwahle Diphofa and national police commissioner General Riah Phiyega to discuss the charges. These include fraud, corruption and maladministration.

Phiyega’s spokesperson Solomon Makgale confirmed that Phiyega had been in Limpopo and that the Hawks were part of the investigations.

Mathabatha’s spokesperson Kenny Mathivha would not confirm which heads of department would be suspended, but said: “Big fish would be charged.”

“We will be charging heads of departments who have flouted the rules, who have been found to have transgressed in a lot of things.”

“We are tightening the screws, when we charge them, if they have to go they have to go for good.”

Monday’s suspensions come just one month after Mathabatha fired eight of the province’s 10 MECs and reshuffled the remaining two. 

News24