Cadre deployment blamed after arrest of a Senior official

African National Congress [ANC] Cadre deployment policy is in the spotlight again after the arrest of a Senior Government official at the Office of the Premier of Limpopo. The Director of Labour Relations Mbobole Michael Maseko is booked to spend a weekend behind bars.

The Democratic Alliance in Limpopo is blaming the Cadre deployment policy as the reason behind the irregular employment of Maseko as a senior Manager at the Premier’s office.

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He is accused of misrepresenting his qualifications when appointed to the lucrative position which has earned him a whopping close to R11 million in salaries since his appointment to the plum job.
Maseko was arrested by the Hawks on Thursday. According to the DA, the position in question was advertised in September 2012 and in subsequent interviews, Ms Moipone Mathole was the preferred candidate.

However, the Office of the re-advertised the post due to not being satisfied with the result. Mathole was not shortlisted but was sent for a competency test together with  Maseko who was later appointed in the position. It is alleged that Mr Maseko misrepresented his qualifications during the interview by fraudulently claiming that he obtained a diploma.

ARREST OF A SENIOR LIMPOPO GOVERNMENT OFFICIAL AT THE OFFICE OF THE PREMIER

In a statement then DA Provincial Leader Lindy Wilson said the position of Senior Manager: Human Resources is a strategic position, yet adequate vetting was clearly neglected claiming that the ANC clearly wanted Maseko to occupy the position regardless.

“This appointment resulted in a R11 million loss for the Premier’s Office and the arrest confirmed our long-held view that HR policies are flouted to sacrifice competency to appoint unqualified cadres in the Office of the Premier,” said Wilson.

Maseko has been under investigation since 2020 after the National Education Health and Allied Workers’ Union [Nehawu] wrote to the premier and suggested that his appointment as the head of labour relations was irregular.

Meanwhile, in a short statement, the office of the Premier says it has noted Maseko’s arrest and will allow the law to take its course.

“The office of the Premier will not give further comment until the matter is finalised,” read the statement. If found guilty Maseko (59) is facing a possible fine or a maximum of a five-year jail term for lying about his educational background. He will appear before the Polokwane Magistrates Court on Tuesday for a formal bail application.

By Emmanuel Kwinda