By Zoleka Qodashe and Lehlohonolo Lehana.
The CEO of the Road Traffic Management Corporation (RTMC), Advocate Makhosini Msibi has been placed on precautionary suspension by the board of directors.
According to the transport ministry, the suspension came into effect on 1st July following allegations of financial misconduct, irregular expenditure and governance failures at the entity.
The precautionary suspension is for a period of 30 days but is extendable to 60 or more.
In the interim, Refilwe Mongale has been appointed to step into the position to ensure continuity and stability at the RTMC.
“It is on the basis of the whistleblowing information which came to the attention of the board with regards to financial misconduct, issues of governance. So basically what has happened is that the board has, in terms of what they’ve informed the ministry, that they have taken a decision to institute a forensic investigation on those allegations.”
Msibi’s suspension comes weeks after a similar decision was taken at another transport entity, the Road Accident Fund (RAF).
RAF CEO Collins Letsoalo was placed on precautionary suspension by the board, amid allegations of irregular procurement.
The Special Investigating Unit, the fund following the whistleblower, claims that Letsoalo overturned the internal bid committee decisions to award a R79 million lease contract to Mowana Properties.
Letsoalo lost his court case to have his suspension set aside in the High Court in Pretoria last month.
The RTMC, established under the Road Traffic Management Corporation Act, plays a crucial role in integrating traffic services nationwide. It manages the National Traffic Information System (NaTIS), oversees law enforcement, and promotes education to cut down on accidents, which claim thousands of lives yearly in South Africa.