The Northern Cape ANC has, with immediate effect, suspended a provincial executive committee (PEC) member and instituted an investigation into allegations that he is getting two “generous” salaries from a district municipality and a national department.
Dr. Zamani Saul, premier, said in a statement his office is concerned about allegations of fraud against Moses Moalusi.
“We view this in a serious light and therefore implore both the Department of Agriculture and the ZF Mgcawu District Municipality to investigate the matter and if there are instances of fraud found, the department should immediately employ corrective measures.
Moalusi (Moukela), who resigned as the speaker of the ZF Mgcawu District Municipality in 2021 following a sex video scandal that was shared on social media, is now accused of receiving salaries from the district municipality and a department.
He allegedly gets more than R30 000 a month from the district municipality and his temporary contract as “portfolio coordinator” at the Department of Agriculture, Environmental Affairs and Rural development was recently extended to more than half a million rand per year.
According to Pakes Dikgetsi, Cope national committee member, whistleblowers have now revealed Molausi allegedly receives “two generous salaries from the state.”
According to him, the position of “portfolio coordinator does not exist in the ministerial handbook.” The handbook determines the staff numbers and their functions in the office of the MEC.
“It is a fake post that has been created. It undermines, duplicates, and usurps the work of other officials. These are the samples of cadre deployment when jobs are created illegally.
“Dr. Zamani Saul, premier, as well as the MEC and the mayor will of course not act against the ongoing fraud and abuse of state resources. Birds of a feather flock together. It is well known in public administration that the so-called top five of the ANC’s PEC have taken over the decision-making powers of the provincial government.
“The provincial government is actually based in the ANC’s offices, and no longer in provincial departments. It is now as pointless and irrelevant as post offices.”
Thabo Mothibi, provincial ANC spokesperson, says Moalusi has been suspended.
“We were not aware of his employment at the department or even the capacity he was serving in. We are expediting the investigation into the allegations. He has been recused from all ANC activities and is not allowed to represent the ANC on any platform. The outcome of the investigation will determine his future with the ANC.”
Shadrack Tlhaole, EFF provincial chairperson, says they demanded the premier act against Dr Dion Theys, HOD of Health, after he was convicted for contravening the Public Finance Management Act.
“To date, the ANC-led administration has been silent on our call to action against corruption. The ANC-led government is an accomplice to criminal activities in the provincial administration and municipalities. Its silence on these serious matters confirms that it covers the dirt. If the ANC-led government was serious about fighting fraud and corruption, it would have long tried to correct its mess.
“All the wrongs are done in the name of the cadre deployment policy of the ANC. One person can easily earn two salaries while we have many unemployed, deserving graduates. The unemployment rate is high, yet this administration still has ghost employees and extends salaries to people not working at all.”
