By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Roads Agency Limpopo (RAL), Gabriel Maluleke, has been fired for corruption and misconduct.
In a statement, the department of Public Works, Roads and Infrastructure says Maluleke was found guilty of dishonesty, financial misconduct, negligence and contravention of the Public Funds Management Act.
Maluleke’s dismissal follows a disciplinary hearing into his conduct.
In July, the RAL board was dissolved after Premier Phophi Ramathuba publicly complained about the entity’s tendency to commit to building roads without an approved budget.
Maluleke was then placed under precautionary suspension effective from August 30 2024. He challenged his suspension and the court ordered his reinstatement.
The Limpopo Department of Public Works, Roads and Infrastructure expressed disappointment and shock at the ruling, vowing to appeal the decision.
The department cited concerns over potential uncertainty, confusion, and panic that could irreparably damage RAL’s operations.
Public Works, Roads and Infrastructure MEC Ernest Rachoene says the dismissal of the CEO is one of the measures taken to fix RAL, which has overcommitted on projects worth more than R1.3 billion.
“The department is committed to the people of Limpopo that the government of the seventh administration will deliver services to improve the economy and the lives of our people,” said Rachoene
Rachoene said the entity is pursuing other interventions, including investigations into more claims of maladministration.
Maluleke is a Chartered Accountant, Chartered Management Accountant and Chartered Global Management Accountant with 25 years’ experience.
He was first appointed to the RAL Board in November 2015 where he served as an independent member of the board’s Audit and Risk Committee.
He previously served as the Chief Financial Officer at the Agricultural Research Council and held senior positions at Momentum, Anglo Platinum, Denel Aerospace Systems and Samancor, among others. He is also a Companies and Intellectual Property Commission licensed business rescue practitioner.