By OBAKENG MAJE
The North West MEC for Department of Economic Development Environment and Conservation Tourism (DEDECT), Virginia Tlhapi is accused of recycling washed-out ANCYL leaders by providing them with employment within her department, like with former ANCYL president, Collen Maine.
This comes after the North West Department of Economic Development Environment and Conservation Tourism (DEDECT) entity, is accused of irregularly appointing the North West Gambling Board (NWGB), where Maine is the deputy chairperson.
The Democratic Alliance (DA) spokesperson on the Department of Economic Development, Environment, Conservation and Tourism, Jacqueline Theologo, alleged that Tlhapi seems to be a habitual offender with irregular appointments and fails to exercise her oversight role.
A few weeks ago, Tlhapi’s department was under siege over alleged flawed processes in the much-publicised irregular appointment of the North West Development Corporation (NWDC) Chief Financial Officer (CFO), Kudakwashe Mpofu.
The NWDC is an entity to the department.
“Mpofu is a Zimbabwean citizen, who is facing allegations of fraudulently obtaining his working permit in South Africa. Last week, the DA wrote to the Special Investigating Unit (SIU), requesting them to extend their scope of investigation to include appointments within all DEDECT entities, including the NWGB.
“The SIU Head in North West, Israel Ndou confirmed that they will look into these matters. As a former ANCYL chairperson in North West, it appears that she simply has this tendency of giving jobs to comrades,” she said.
Theologo further said the acting North West Premier, Nono Maloyi, admitted that he is aware of the alleged irregular and unlawful appointment of Maine to the NWGB during a questions session in the North West Provincial Legislature (NWPL).
She added that Maine served as president of the ANCYL between 2015 and 2019.
“Maloyi arrogantly informed members of the Legislature that he could not confirm nor deny as to whether any of the board members of the NWGB had been vetted or if any security checks were conducted.
“Maloyi indicated that he has tasked Tlhapi with submitting a report on all these allegations. He further indicated that he would table that report in the Legislature,” said Theologo.
She said once that report is tabled, the DA will refer it to the SIU as part of the expanded investigation process. Theologo said this once again shows that the ANC is hell-bent on giving jobs to comrades, while almost a million of North West residents are unemployed.
Meanwhile, the North West Department of Economic Development Environment and Conservation Tourism (DEDECT) spokesperson, Jeremiah Matebesi said: “As the department, we are not aware of such allegations that he is aware of the alleged irregular and unlawful appointment of Maine to the NWGB.
“All legislative requirements, including vetting which relates to the appointment of the Board of Directors were followed. So, Maine’s appointment into the board was consistent with the law.”
Matebesi also refuted allegations that Tlhapi is a habitual offender.
TaungDailyNews 