Serious irregularities uncovered in Minister Tolashe’s chief of staff appointment by PSC

Public Service Commission Somadoda Fikeni says their investigation has found multiple violations in the irregular appointment of Social Development Minister Sisi Tolashe’s former private secretary Lesedi Mabiletja. The Public Service Commission (PSC) on Wednesday said its investigation into the Briefing the social development committee, PSC chairperson Somadoda Fikeni said they had conducted their own accord investigation into Mabiletja’s appointment following media reports. MPs heard that the implicated officials did not cooperate with PSC during the investigation.

“I wish the minister good luck in hoping that the same officials will give full response and cooperation, more so some have left the department,” said Fikeni referring to Tolashe who asked for extension until next week to get replies from the officials before providing a response to the PSC preliminary report. “We have thoroughly interviewed the affected officials. They were given the opportunity to respond.

We invoked technical support to verify the details, which I doubt the department will have that capacity as some of the officials have the potential of misleading her,” he said. Fikeni also said the investigation found that many role players have coordinated in embellishment of facts, including CVs,and misstatements of facts. PSC investigator Hendrieka Sithole said they found thatMabiletja was irregularly appointedas Tolashe’s private and appointment secretary in terms of qualifications and experience.