Water Board puts bosses on special leave

JUST days after the SACP raised concerns about water entities in KwaZulu-Natal, two top executives in Mhlathuze Water have been placed on special leave.

The move was announced by the board and confirmed by chairperson Thabi Shange yesterday.

According to the board, the two executives were placed on leave following allegations received by the water entity.

“The board of Mhlathuze Water hereby informs you of its decision to place its chief executive, Mthokozisi Duze, and the chief financial officer, Babongile Mnyandu, on special leave pending an investigation into allegations received by the organisation. The special leave will take effect as of Wednesday, December 8, 2021 until January 31, 2022,” said the statement from the board.

The board did not indicate the nature of the allegations against the two, but stressed that both have readily complied with the conditions of the special leave.

The entity’s board emphasised that placing the two on special leave did not imply that they had done anything wrong, but was aimed at allowing the organisation space and time to test the allegations made against them.

While the two executives are on special leave, the general manager for Scientific Services, Swaswa Ntlhoro, would serve as the interim chief executive and the finance manager, Thokozane Hlongwane would be the interim chief financial officer.

The board also affirmed its commitment to the continuity of its essential operations during this time.

Speaking to The Mercury yesterday, Shange said the water entity was functioning normally.

“You can make an unannounced visit to the premises and you will see that everything is functioning normally, both operationally and governance wise,” said Shange.

The North Coast-based water entity supplies bulk water to districts in northern KZN, including Zululand and uMkhanyakude district municipalities.

Last month, the water entity received an unqualified audit opinion from the Auditor-General of South Africa for the financial year ended June 30, for the third year running, a development which the entity insisted affirmed its sound financial footing.

In the past there have been rumours of alleged mismanagement and corruption, which prompted the IFP to call on the office of the Public Protector to probe how it had spent more than R100 million meant for drought relief and delivery of water in the Zululand area.

The water utility has also previously been besieged by irregular acts of corruption which had been investigated by the Special Investigating Unit.

Two weeks ago, the SACP raised concerns about water entities in the province, singling out Umgeni Water as the primary source of concern. The party said it would seek an audience with Water and Sanitation Minister Senzo Mchunu in order to express its concerns over the two entities, as they report to his department.

SACP KZN secretary Themba Mthembu said while they welcomed the suspension of the two senior officials, it had taken too long for the board to act against them.

“In the past we raised questions over the appointment of Duze, but this was ignored. But that being said, we welcome the development and we will be closely monitoring the process,” said Mthembu.

He expressed the party’s hope that the process of investigating allegations against the two would be swift and transparent.

Attempts to get comment from Duze and the minister were unsuccessful.