Themba Molefe
Themba Molefe
Johannesburg City's former director of arts, culture and heritage wants his name cleared more than a year after the council dismissed him for alleged irregularities and mismanagement.
Though the labour court threw out the municipality's decision to dismiss him, Maishe Maponya wants the pre-dismissal arbitration process, which was not done, to unfold.
"I was targeted. The case, if any, was prejudged unfairly because there was a hidden agenda," he said.
Maponya, a celebrated playwright and former Wits academic, was appointed in July 2001 on a five-year contract. He was fired in April 2003.
But in 2005 the labour court overturned his dismissal, citing that it was unprocedural.
Joburg City's spokesman Gabu Tugwana confirmed the arbitration had been restarted in line with the laid down procedures. But he could not confirm how long it would take before completion.