Tourism board shock

Two officials suspended, two board members quit

By MAYIBONGWE MAQHINA
and DEON VAN DER MERWE

THE Eastern Cape Tourism Board (ECTB) has suspended its chief executive officer and marketing manager after an internal audit raised questions about tender procedures being flouted.

Novayi Jekwa, the board’s chairperson, confirmed yesterday that Glenton de Kock and the board’s marketing manager Susan Wilson were suspended on Tuesday.

The board’s woes were subsequently compounded by the resignation of two of its members, Patti Graham and Salome Clack, in an apparent solidarity with De Kock.

Jekwa said the decision to suspend De Kock and Wilson was approved by the board on Friday last week.

“Some serious issues were raised that made the board decide on their suspension as there may be further investigations,” said Jekwa.

Certain tender procedures and policies needed to be looked into, she said.

“I am not saying there are monies missing. We’ve not gone into identifying which of the tenders or anything like that.”

She refused to elaborate.

De Kock and Wilson would be suspended until the investigation was complete, which was “hopefully not going to be long – maybe a month or two”.

ECTB human resources manager Bulelwa Mbanga and Kalingna Gopar have been appointed as acting CEO and marketing manager respectively.

Jekwa said the board communicated its intention to suspend De Kock in writing. In the letter, De Kock was also asked to provide reasons why he should not be suspended.

“His response was that instead of answering those questions he would rather be released,” Jekwa said.

Late yesterday De Kock confirmed his suspension, but said this was yet to be communicated to him in writing.

“I have sought legal advice and have been advised not to comment at this stage. I hope, however, to be in a position to make a full statement early next week,” he said.

De Kock has served in the position for two years. He still has another year to go according to his contract.

Wilson could not be reached for comment yesterday.

Speaking from Cape Town, Graham confirmed she and Clack had quit the board.

“It had become patently clear that there is a cabal within the board ... wheels within wheels and no transparency. There is a very definite political agenda from which some board members are excluded,” she said.

Graham said she and Clack objected to the way in which the suspension was handled.

“It was wrong to summarily suspend him (De Kock) without giving him a fair hearing (about) the allegations against him,” she said.

“Not only was it wrong, I believe that in terms of the Labour Relations Act it may even be illegal. But it really was a ‘take no prisoners’ meeting.”

She said there had been scant regard for De Kock’s request that in view of the situation he be released early from his three-year contract to pursue other career options open to him.

Jekwa defended the suspensions as “not a judgment” but a move to allow the investigation to continue without interference.

Economic Affairs’ head of department Naledi Burwana-Bisiwe referred the Dispatch to Economic Affairs MEC Mbulelo Sogoni, who is away on an overseas trip.

Burwana-Bisiwe also declined comment on Wilson’s suspension.

Reacting to the suspensions last night, political parties called on Sogoni to speedily resolve the leadership crisis in view of the looming 2010 World Cup soccer.

DA’s Bobby Stevenson said: “The DA is extremely concerned with the ongoing instability within parastatals in the Eastern Cape. Recently there were problems at the Eastern Cape Development Corporation and Parks Board,” he said.

He said the province could ill-afford any form of instability.

The United Independent Front welcomed any attempt by government to fight corruption.

“However, that should be mixed with a political agenda,” UIF provincial leader Mabandla Gogo cautioned. “We hope this is not a perpetual persecution of individuals.”

ANC spokesperson Mahlubandile Qwase called on the MEC concerned to investigate the problems surrounding ECTB. “We want stability as we are left with four years before 2010.”