By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
The Director-General of the Department of Public Enterprises, Kgathatso Tlhakudi, has been dismissed following an inquiry into a complaint laid against him with the Public Service Commission.
After a complaint received by the Public Service Commission (PSC) last year, Minister of Justice and Correctional Services, Ronald Lamola was mandated by President Cyril Ramaphosa to conduct an inquiry into allegations that Tlhakudi violated his employment contract.
“The ministry of justice & correctional services confirms the disciplinary inquiry has [been] completed and delivered its outcome.”
The ministry said due process was followed and all allegations were put to Tlhakudi, who was represented in the inquiry.
“Having considered the evidence presented, the chairperson of the disciplinary, advocate [Rathaga] Ramawele SC, found Tlhakudi breached his contract and made sanctions of dismissal.”
“Lamola has given effect to the sanction and has thus issued Tlhakudi with a dismissal letter dated 2 June 2023, in terms of section 16B of the Public Services Act, 1994,” the ministry said.
The Department of Public Enterprises (DPE) said it will be implementing the decision.
“The DPE can finally put all its efforts into advancing the reforms aimed at capacitating SOEs [State-owned enterprises] to deliver on their developmental mandate.
“This work will culminate with a series of critical outcomes, including the creation of the National Transmission Company of South Africa out of Eskom, the establishment of an infrastructure manager within Transnet Freight Rail, and the introduction of private partnerships for the Durban Container Terminal,” the DPE said.
Meanwhile, the DPE said it has noted the decision of the Constitutional Court to dismiss Tlhakudi’s application for leave for a direct appeal against a Labour Court decision to uphold his suspension.
“[The] Constitutional Court’s decision was further vindication of its stance that Tlhakudi has long sought to avoid accountability for his misconduct that arose from a complaint that was filed with the Public Service Commission for alleged unethical behaviour over a recruitment process in the department.