Post Office, Mampeule enter new standoff
Mampeule has told the media that, after following all the necessary procedures, he had laid a charge against his predecessor, Maanda Manyatshe, because of a R2bn contract the latter allegedly improperly awarded to Vision Design House.
Manyatshe, who resigned as MD at telecoms group MTN after the allegations surfaced, is suing the state-owned postal service for R274m for defamation and loss of income.
But newspaper reports this week said that the Post Office had denied laying criminal charges against Manyatshe.
Mampeule, however, said yesterday, “I stand by my actions,” adding that he had informed all the relevant parties, including the Post Office board and Communications Minister Ivy Matsepe-Casaburri of his intentions.
Newly appointed Post Office CEO Motshoanetsi Lefoka said she could not comment on whether the criminal charges had ever been laid or whether they had been subsequently withdrawn until she had sought legal counsel.
But Business Report said this week that Post Office spokesman Twiggs Xiphu had said there were no criminal charges against Manyatshe.
Lefoka said yesterday that “the cases are currently in the legal process and we are not able to comment as this would constitute (a breach of) sub judice”.
Lefoka replaced Mampeule as acting CEO in March, after Mampeule was fired by the minister following a “breakdown of trust” .
Mampeule is adamant that he followed the correct procedures and was acting in accordance with the Public Finance Management Act — which regulates finances within state organs — when he “blew the whistle” by lodging a complaint with the Public Service Commission as well as informing the police. He said he had received acknowledgement of his intentions from the board as well as from the minister.
Mampeule is locked in a legal battle with the Post Office surrounding the termination of his employment and the labour practices he claims to have been subjected to during his tenure .
“The wheels of justice are slow, but the matter will go to the Commission for Conciliation, Mediation and Arbitration and then it will be in front of the Labour Court,” Mampeule said.
The Post Office is facing potential legal liabilities of almost R1bn and was last week ordered to pay R60m in lost revenues to Cornastone e-Commerce Services following a bungled 2002 tender.
The postal service had reviewed the court’s decision and would be lodging an appeal.
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