A senior official who was suspended for alleged wrongdoing by the Eastern Cape department of social development has not been hired to oversee social-grant operations in that province, said the national Department of Social Development on Saturday.
Departmental spokesperson Lakela Kaunda said reports on Thursday that the man had been hired were incorrect.
”Reports stated as fact that Mr Khaliphile Mabhentsela has been appointed by the South African Social Security Agency as acting Eastern Cape regional executive manager. Nobody has been appointed to that position yet; it remains vacant,” said Kaunda.
She said the agency, responsible for social-grant payments, reports to the Minister of Social Development, Zola Skweyiya.
Mabhentsela resigned as the superintendent general of the province’s social development department two years ago while a disciplinary hearing was pending against him.
He had been suspended on allegations of serious irregularities in the department,
such as irregular appointments, corrupt practices and bribery. — Sapa