LIMPOPO director-general Rachel Molepo-Modipa allegedly refused to sanction the disciplinary hearing of a senior official accused of receiving a R35000 bribe from a government tender to renovate tribal authority offices at Mametja village.
The official, whose name is known to Sowetan, is employed in the facilities management unit in the office of the premier and is said to be a close confidante of Molepo-Modipa.
But Molepo-Modipa yesterday did not want to respond, insisting instead that Limpopo government spokesman Tebatso Mabitsela deal with the matter.
Mabitsela denied that Molepo-Modipa had refused to take disciplinary action against the official, and said there were no outstanding disciplinary measures against any official in the office of the premier.
However, Sowetan has reliably established that in her meeting with the National Education, Health and Allied Workers Union (Nehawu) last Thursday, Molepo-Modipa apologised for the backlog of disciplinary cases against a number of officials in Limpopo.
Mabitsela confirmed attending the meeting but refused to comment further.
The bribery case against the official came to light after an investigation and subsequent recommendation for a disciplinary hearing by the risk management unit.
The suspected official apparently extended the time during a compulsory briefing session to allow "his preferred contractor, who was allegedly running late" for the meeting, to pitch up. This led to other contractors complaining that the process was not fair nor transparent.
The risk management unit then allegedly investigated and found that the official had allegedly colluded with the contractor in fixing the tender price.
The unit's report, which strongly recommended that disciplinary action be taken against the official, was agreed upon by other senior officials in the office of the premier. Molepo-Modipa allegedly refused to sanction the disciplinary hearing.
Her apparent refusal was also raised by Nehawu at a meeting with her last week. The meeting was arranged to discuss a memorandum which the union forwarded to her complaining of nepotism in the hiring of government staff and the unilateral transfer of staff in the office of the premier.
Director General in row over R35000 'bribe' for official
LIMPOPO director-general Rachel Molepo-Modipa allegedly refused to sanction the disciplinary hearing of a senior official accused of receiving a R35000 bribe from a government tender to renovate tribal authority offices at Mametja village.
The official, whose name is known to Sowetan, is employed in the facilities management unit in the office of the premier and is said to be a close confidante of Molepo-Modipa.
But Molepo-Modipa yesterday did not want to respond, insisting instead that Limpopo government spokesman Tebatso Mabitsela deal with the matter.
Mabitsela denied that Molepo-Modipa had refused to take disciplinary action against the official, and said there were no outstanding disciplinary measures against any official in the office of the premier.
However, Sowetan has reliably established that in her meeting with the National Education, Health and Allied Workers Union (Nehawu) last Thursday, Molepo-Modipa apologised for the backlog of disciplinary cases against a number of officials in Limpopo.
Mabitsela confirmed attending the meeting but refused to comment further.
The bribery case against the official came to light after an investigation and subsequent recommendation for a disciplinary hearing by the risk management unit.
The suspected official apparently extended the time during a compulsory briefing session to allow "his preferred contractor, who was allegedly running late" for the meeting, to pitch up. This led to other contractors complaining that the process was not fair nor transparent.
The risk management unit then allegedly investigated and found that the official had allegedly colluded with the contractor in fixing the tender price.
The unit's report, which strongly recommended that disciplinary action be taken against the official, was agreed upon by other senior officials in the office of the premier. Molepo-Modipa allegedly refused to sanction the disciplinary hearing.
Her apparent refusal was also raised by Nehawu at a meeting with her last week. The meeting was arranged to discuss a memorandum which the union forwarded to her complaining of nepotism in the hiring of government staff and the unilateral transfer of staff in the office of the premier.
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