Unhappy staff finger boss who splurged on Confederations Cup
The CEO of the Road Traffic Management Corporation accused of wasting millions of rands of taxpayers’ money on useless projects — including a R1.3-million jaunt for staff and guests to watch the Confederations Cup, at a cost of up to R31,763 per person, ostensibly to prepare for the 2010 WC.
Disgruntled staff at the RTMC — responsible for road traffic management across South Africa, including providing vehicle and roadworthiness testing and the testing and licensing of drivers — have also accused Ranthoko Rakgoale of operating like a “dictator”.
They want minister of transport Sibusiso Ndebele to investigate the running of the organisation, set up in September 2005, and Rakgoale’s leadership style.
Rakgoale has denied the allegations.
Last month unhappy staff sent a three-page letter to the Transport Ministry accusing Rakgoale of:
- Spending R4.5-million on workshops in the nine prov-inces last October and November, for which R1.5-million had been budgeted;
- Entering into a 10-year R658-million lease for nine office blocks in Pretoria , only two of which are being used ;
- Buying office furniture for R1.2-million without advertising it on open tender;
- Using an official vehicle worth R271000, although he receives a hefty car allowance; and
- Blowing R1.3-million on the hire of private suites at Ellis Park and Loftus Versfeld for eight matches during last month’s Confederations Cup.
Staff and guests were treated to pre-match lunches and dinners, after-match snacks and drinks.
The parastatal coughed up R31,763 per person for those attending matches at Ellis Park and R15,016 for those who went to Loftus.
In the letter requesting approval for the hiring of the suites, Celia Khoza, a senior supply-chain manager , said “by attending the tournament, the RTMC will be able to develop planning frameworks in preparation for the World Cup”.
The organisation has an annual budget of R182-million, a staff of 144 and is responsible for the implementation of the demerit system whereby drivers will be docked points for traffic violations. It is also expected to oversee the controversial Enatis Licence System.
Rakgoale — who earns more than R1.2-million a year, including benefits — this week defended his decision to pay for the suites, saying the matter was discussed at a management meeting and no concerns were raised.
Rakgoale, a former head of public works, roads and transport in the Free State, was unceremoniously redeployed to social development by then premier Beatrice Marshoff, which he unsuccessfully challenged in the Bloemfontein High Court.
Rakgoale also paid auditing firm Deloitte & Touche R1.5-million from February 6 to March 13 this year for seconding 18 staff members to provide financial and management accounting services to his finance staff.
The chairman of the RTMC board, John Sampson, confirmed that Rakgoale had faxed him a copy of the letter from staff, but Rakgoale denied any knowledge of it.
“My quote is, ‘I don’t know about the letter that went to the director-general. It’s the first time I am hearing of the allegations. But let them be investigated, because I have nothing to hide,’” he said.
He denied buying furniture or commandeering a car for his private use.
“It (the car) was allocated to the CEO’s office and is not for my personal use. It is used to deliver post, and in instances when, as a law enforcement officer, I have to attend roadblocks, I use it because it has blue lights.”
He said he was forced to call in Deloitte & Touche because some senior officials — who were paid as much as R921,000 a year each — were not doing their jobs.
Sampson said he was still deciding how to handle the complaints from staff.
Transport director-general Mpumi Mpofu failed to respond to written questions from the Sunday Times.
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