MINISTER of women, children and people with disabilities Lulu Xingwana has accused her former chief financial officer of incompetency and leaving the department almost in tatters.
But this was yesterday dismissed by Bahumi Matebesi who is suing Xingwana for constructive dismissal.
Xingwana denied the claims and painted a picture of a scorned employee who was peddling lies and discrediting her to cover her under-performance and contravention of the Public Service Act as revealed by the Auditor-General in the 2010/11 annual report.
Terence Nombembe's report also found there was non-compliance with laws and implementation of the overall process of planning and budgeting.
Xingwana suggested that Matebesi resigned in May - two months before the report was released as she knew she would be implicated for R120000 of unauthorised work done outside the department.
According to Nombembe's report, three other officials are said to have earned over R150000 for unauthorised outside work. They have since been dismissed.
Xingwana said senior managers had complained about funds being diverted from key areas. This, Xingwana said, had a major effect on service delivery. She recalled how Matebesi had hired a personal assistant using budgets meant for other department work.
But Matebesi described herself as a professional who joined the department in 2011 to add value but claims the toxic environment and attitude of the minister forced her out of the department.
She claimed Xingwana compromised her work with her total disregard of budget constraints as she dished out instructions to officials to "find money now" for her wishes to be fulfilled.
She recalled how Xingwana instructed that some people in her office be upgraded, even though there was no money available for higher salaries.
"I have worked with various politicians but have never come across a politician like Xingwana. I don't have a record that says I'm incompetent."
She has worked as CFO in the Presidency in 2008.
Xingwana denied the claims.
"If she wants me to cover up for her breaking the law then I can't do that," she said, adding that she would institute legal proceedings against Matebesi.
Matebesi said she will fight as she had declared her directorship at Isithwalandwe Training and Research, which was paid for services rendered at the Free State health department. - nhlabathih@sowetan.co.za
'Incompetent' official and Xingwana face off
MINISTER of women, children and people with disabilities Lulu Xingwana has accused her former chief financial officer of incompetency and leaving the department almost in tatters.
But this was yesterday dismissed by Bahumi Matebesi who is suing Xingwana for constructive dismissal.
Xingwana denied the claims and painted a picture of a scorned employee who was peddling lies and discrediting her to cover her under-performance and contravention of the Public Service Act as revealed by the Auditor-General in the 2010/11 annual report.
Terence Nombembe's report also found there was non-compliance with laws and implementation of the overall process of planning and budgeting.
Xingwana suggested that Matebesi resigned in May - two months before the report was released as she knew she would be implicated for R120000 of unauthorised work done outside the department.
According to Nombembe's report, three other officials are said to have earned over R150000 for unauthorised outside work. They have since been dismissed.
Xingwana said senior managers had complained about funds being diverted from key areas. This, Xingwana said, had a major effect on service delivery. She recalled how Matebesi had hired a personal assistant using budgets meant for other department work.
But Matebesi described herself as a professional who joined the department in 2011 to add value but claims the toxic environment and attitude of the minister forced her out of the department.
She claimed Xingwana compromised her work with her total disregard of budget constraints as she dished out instructions to officials to "find money now" for her wishes to be fulfilled.
She recalled how Xingwana instructed that some people in her office be upgraded, even though there was no money available for higher salaries.
"I have worked with various politicians but have never come across a politician like Xingwana. I don't have a record that says I'm incompetent."
She has worked as CFO in the Presidency in 2008.
Xingwana denied the claims.
"If she wants me to cover up for her breaking the law then I can't do that," she said, adding that she would institute legal proceedings against Matebesi.
Matebesi said she will fight as she had declared her directorship at Isithwalandwe Training and Research, which was paid for services rendered at the Free State health department. - nhlabathih@sowetan.co.za
Would you like to comment on this article?
Register (it's quick and free) or sign in now.
Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.
Trending
Latest Videos