Johannesburg – The urgent court application by the suspended head of Limpopo’s human settlements department was dismissed with costs in a labour court, The Star reported on Friday.

Nnana Manamela filed the application to challenge Premier Stanley Mathabatha’s decision to suspend her with pay for alleged financial misconduct and irregularities.

According to the newspaper, the allegations related to the awarding of R900m worth of contracts to business partners of former premier Cassel Mathale and Economic Freedom Fighters leader Julius Malema.

“I am concerned with the plethora of cases that come before the labour court brought by senior employees in the public sector to challenge their suspensions on an urgent basis,” acting Judge AJ Snyman was quoted as saying.

Manamela told The Star that investigations into the awarding of contracts were politically motivated, and subsequently her suspension. Snyman dismissed the claims.

“The applicant’s seniority also creates a risk that she could possibly tamper with evidence or influence subordinates, being a case pertinently made out by the respondents,” Snyman said.

Manamela’s disciplinary hearing was due to begin on 14 October.

– SAPA