DESPITE being rated as the best government communicator, former Limpopo health and social development spokesperson Phuti Seloba is accused of being a sellout.

He was suspended on Friday by his department, barely four months after he was shifted from his position as the departmental spokesperson.

This happened in spite of government rating agency, Turning Point, rating Seloba as the best 2008 Government spokesperson in the country.

He was told to pack his bags and leave the provincial buildings of the health and social development department. His laptop, cellphone and other vital departmental documents were confiscated.

Seloba was also forbidden to talk to any official of the department or media.

Departmental spokesperson Selby Makgotho confirmed that Seloba was on precautionary suspension. He said Seloba was suspended with full pay pending the outcome of investigations.

Makgotho said Seloba was accused of misconduct and that he would be home for two months while the department conducted investigations against him.

He, however, could not elaborate on the nature of the misconduct Seloba was accused of, saying the matter was still sub judice.

But sources within the department told Sowetan that Seloba was accused of feeding the media with sensitive information about the department.

Seloba was not available for comment.