/ 20 November 2006

Suspended Post Office CEO says board is out to get him

Suspended South African Post Office CEO Khutso Mampeule says he is the victim of a ”smear campaign” by members of his board, Business Day reported on Monday.

It quoted him as saying was seeking legal advice on whether to sue the company.

Mampeule was suspended with full pay on Friday at a meeting of the Post Office’s board, pending the outcome of a disciplinary case against him.

He will be the second CEO to take action against the Post Office.

His predecessor, Maanda Manyatshe, who resigned last week as MTN managing director after Mampeule laid criminal charges against him for tender fraud, is suing the Post Office for R100-million.

The saga pointed to a growing crisis at the Post Office, said Business Day.

Parliament’s portfolio committee on communication had also questioned Communication Minister Ivy Matsepe-Casaburri’s handling of the matter.

Last month, Mampeule told Parliament that seven Post Office executives had resigned or been axed in the past 18 months as a result of his anti-corruption drive.

About 13 suspect contracts had been uncovered and cancelled during a comprehensive audit.

Mampeule said his fight against corruption had ”affected some powerful and well-connected people” on the board.

”I believe my suspension is an attempt to divert attention from my concerted effort to uproot corrupt actions, such as those in the Vision Design House matter.” – Sapa