The Nehawu branch in Mahikeng, North West has instructed its members to return home, after a scuffle ensued when a suspended senior official from the Department of Social Development, Job Mguni, allegedly came with armed bodyguards and tried to forcefully enter the department’s offices.
Mguni and three other officials were suspended on Thursday by MEC Boitumelo Moiloa for afllegations of awarding an irregular tender worth R133 million.
Nehwau’s regional deputy chairperson in Mahikeng, Godfrey Manduba, said their members are not safe at work.
“Given what has transpired this morning the director of the supply chain comes to work with 10 heavily armed men in the public service offices, which cannot be allowed. And it’s actually a transgression of public service regulations. Live ammunition is not permitted in the workplace. But this director comes to work with such heavily armed men.
“Such cannot happen, and then what about the safety of the workers and the community that utilises the services of these offices? It means their safety is at risk because these men are unknown. The department has got security officials who are on duty now.
“But someone brings extra 10 security men with live ammunition into the workplace. Our members cannot be part of such. So it is on that basis that we told members you are not safe until the department can guarantee your safety, from now on go home and the management will communicate with you,’’ Manduba.
The North West Department of Social Development spokesperson, Petrus Siko also gave an assurance that everything will return to normalcy on Monday.
“I can assure you that we will make sure that there is stability in the department. We want to assure the workers that by Monday everything will have returned to normal. They will be able to execute their duties without any hindrance,” said Siko.
MEC said the decision to place officials under precautionary suspension was to allow due processes to unfold as well as to respond to consequence management as required by the law.
“Due to numerous complaints received by the North West Department of Social Development regarding irregularities in awarding the security tender to the projected amount of R133 million, the Department has established prima facie information that led to the suspension of one senior manager and three other officials.
“These officials have been placed on a 30-day immediate precautionary suspension due to the seriousness of the allegations against them. In dealing with this matter expeditiously and efficiently, the Department intends to adhere strictly to the prescribed time frames to bring the investigations to finality.
“These precautionary suspensions should serve as a deterrent to other officials in the department who may be involved in any corrupt activities. We are serious about zero tolerance for corruption in the department. We want clean governance.” Moiloa said.
Nehawu has welcomed the suspension of the officials and says the law must take its course.
