/ 30 January 2009

Pansalb chief accused of abuse of power

A six-page letter has been sent to Parliament accusing the chief executive officer of the Pan South African Language Board (PanSalb), Rosemary Ntombenhle Nkosi, of financial mismanagement and abuse of power.

PanSalb is the constitutionally created body for the promotion of all South African languages.

Nkosi, who last year made headlines with her legal challenge to a Durban School she accused of teaching her son sub-standard isiZulu, was accused by an anonymous whistleblower in a letter sent to Parliament late last year.

The letter alleges that Nkosi abused her powers, on more than one occasion, by overruling decisions of a management committee and is accused of flouting transparency and equity regulations relating to the issuing of tenders by appointing service providers without advertising to all possible candidates. It also alleges that payments were made to a close corporation without valid documentation, such as a tax-clearance certificate

Asked for comment PanSalb spokesperson Sibusiso Nkosi said:
“Please note that I have discussed this matter with the CEO and her response is that this is a malicious attack by people who are bringing PanSalb into disrepute. The Mail& Guardian must get evidence to substantiate the allegations, because, should the paper publish unsubstantiated allegations, that act will lead to us suing the paper for tarnishing one’s character,” he said.

Bulelwa Madikwane, speaking on behalf of Parliament’s Portfolio Committee on Arts and Culture, has confirmed receipt of the letter. She told the M&G that the letter has yet to be tabled in front of the committee but that it has been passed on to committee chair Josephine Tshivhase.