The whistleblower who sent an anonymous letter to Parliament accusing Pan South African Language Board (Pansalb) chief executive Rosemary Nkosi of financial mismanagement and abuse of power has been suspended by Nkosi herself.
Senior Pansalb legal adviser Zixolisile Feni launched an urgent court bid for reinstatement last week. Pansalb is the constitutionally created body for the promotion of all South African languages. Feni confirmed in court papers last week that he was the author of a dossier to Parliament that accuses Nkosi of wrongdoing.
The Mail & Guardian has reported that Feni’s six-page letter alleges that Nkosi abused her powers on more than one occasion by overruling decisions of the tender adjudication committee. He also accuses her of flouting transparency and equity regulations relating to tenders by appointing service providers without advertising to all service providers.
Feni has now been suspended pending an investigation for conducting himself “in an improper and unbecoming manner” that is not “expected from a senior legal adviser of the Pansalb”.
In his court papers Feni alleges his suspension is the result of his whistleblowing. He repeats various allegations made in his letter to Parliament and the Pansalb board, including the claim that Nkosi gave business to a company that is not properly registered.