Staff Reporter.
The Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa (PRASA) says the recruitment of its Group Chief Executive Officer (GCEO), Zolani Kgosietsile Matthews, was regulated by its recruitment and selection policy.
The agency has dismissed reports by GROUNDUP indicating that Matthews’s recruitment was inconsistent with its policy. The report alleged that PRASA policy states employees should retire at 63. Matthews is 64.
PRASA board member, Smanga Sethene, said the recruitment and selection policy prescribes no age restriction to be employed at PRASA.
“The recruitment process for any position at PRASA is regulated by PRASA’s Recruitment and Selection Policy, which was signed and adopted on 2 July 2020, months before the appointment of the current board.
“We wish to reiterate as the board that since our appointment, we have neither amended no HR policy, nor have we devised or signed any HR policy.
“Currently, PRASA has more than 23 employees who are above the age of 63, and they continue to be of great service to PRASA. Their employ at PRASA is legal, “Sethene said on Monday.
The service provider received 58 CVs for the position and after a pre-screening process, 20 candidates were interviewed by the service provider.
“The selection process continued and top 10 candidates were shortlisted. Out of the 10 candidates shortlisted, there was a final shortlist of six candidates, who were interviewed on 30 January 2021.
“All six candidates were given a case study to prepare a presentation for the panel, setting out how they intend handling the work of the business if appointed, “Sethene said.
Following a 15-minute presentation, candidates were asked the same questions prepared by the panel.
“Interviews were recorded and were conducted virtually in compliance with COVID-19 protocols. Following the completion of the interviews, HR representatives and the Acting Group Executive: Human Resources, who sat as secretary and observer, Ms N Kondowe, indicated that the interview process was conducted consistent with the policies of PRASA, “Sethene said.
Meanwhile minister of transport Fikile Mbalula has apologised to the Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma over his unsavoury tweet about her ANC presidential campaign in 2017.
In his tweet on Monday, Mbalula was reacting to an earlier tweet of the Minister of Human Settlements, Water and Sanitation, Lindiwe Sisulu, about a dinner hosted by former president Jacob Zuma ahead of the ANC elective conference in December 2017.
Sisulu had posted a picture of all seven candidates who were vying for the ANC presidency which included her, Jeff Radebe, Dlamini Zuma and President Cyril Ramaphosa.
In her tweet, which elicited Mbalula’s reaction, Sisulu said: “Oh what a night! Dinner of the presidential hopefuls in 2017. It was a good meeting and a wonderful time for all.# throwback.”
This prompted Mbalula to take to Twitter and insinuate that Zuma had wanted to create a family dynasty of some sort within the ANC through the failed election of Dlamini Zuma as party president.
Mbalula, when faced with a backlash on the same platform, chose to apologise for his perceived references to Dlamini Zuma.
However, Mbalula was unrepentant on his allegation that Public Protector, advocate Busisiwe Mkhwebane, was a “hired gun” despite criminal charges of crimen injuria and contempt were laid against him on Wednesday.
Reacting to the charges, the Minister said: “I wish to reiterate that I stand by my views that she has conducted herself as a hired gun, more interested in pursuing partisan political agendas rather than uphold the stature of the office of the Public Protector, with the responsibility to place the interests of the citizens first.
“I therefore remain ready to meet her in court to defend my statement.”