News24.com | PSC finds Durban TVET college's R1.3m consultation payment to Ukhozi FM motoring news contributor unlawful

Zodwa Aryetey, principal of Elangeni TVET college.

• The Public Service Commission has found that a R1.3 million consultation fee paid by the Elangeni TVET college to a motoring news contributor was unlawful and irregular.
• The PSC report also found that the conduct of the college principal during the appointment of senior officials was “improper”.
• Trade union Nehawu wants the college principal to resign.

The National Health and Allied Workers Union (Nehawu) has called for the resignation of Zodwa Aryetey, principal of the Durban-based Elangeni TVET college, following a finding of the irregular issuing of a tender.

A recent report by the Public Service Commission (PSC) found that a R1.3 million payment, under Aryetey’s watch, to a company called Imoto Media for "consulting on project initiation" was irregular and unlawful.

A tax invoice dated 26 February 2019 seen by News24 listed Sibonelo Myeni as Imoto Media’s sole director.

Myeni has also served as a motoring news contributor on the popular SABC radio station, Ukhozi FM.

It’s not clear whether the consultation by Imoto Media derived any benefit to the Elangeni TVET college.

The Department of Higher Education, which is in possession of the PSC’s full report, did not respond to a News24 query on whether findings of the PSC will be shared with the public.

Nehawu, which lodged a complaint with the PSC in 2021, said the summary report had vindicated them.

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The union’s KZN secretary Ayanda Zulu said the report “confirms the unscrupulous handling of supply chain management processes at the college”.

The union had also called for a probe into the appointment of the college council secretary and senior supply chain manager, but according to the report, signed by the PSC director for public administration investigations, Simon Mnguni, on 5 May, these allegations were unsubstantiated.

The commission did, however, find that “the conduct of the principal [Aryetey] during the shortlisting, interview, and appointment processes were found to be improper and specific recommendations were made in this regard”.

Zulu said:

He said the union had written to Higher Education Minister Blade Nzimande to take action against Aryetey and officials implicated in the fraudulent awarding of the tender.

The commission confirmed that the final report was handed to Nzimande and said it regarded the matter as closed on its side.

Nzimande’s spokesperson, Ishmael Mnisi, told News24: “The matter is being addressed by our legal and labour relations colleagues who will be communicating directly with the principal of Elangeni TVET college”.