This is merely a few months after its battle with ousted Chief Financial Officer (CFO) Hlonelwa Nkomo. 

ALSO READ: Ousted Centlec CFO interdicted from holding ‘tell-all’ media briefing 

The power utility is once more finding itself making headlines after suspending, Amelia Makara, for allegedly putting the institution into disrepute. Makara is allegedly charged with sharing information with the media. 

In July 2022, OFM News reported that the ANC’s Interim Provincial Committee (IPC) Coordinator, Paseka Nompondo, told Journalists at a media briefing that plans were afoot to dissolve the board. This follows a slew of controversies which beset the power utility.

OFM News previously reported that DA Councillor Mokgadi Kganakga in June 2021 revealed in her speech that Centlec’s Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Malefane Sebokwana, and the board allegedly increased his annual salary to R2.4 million, despite a directive from the Minister of Finance, Tito Mboweni, proposing “moderate adjustments” to wage increases way below inflation for the upcoming financial years.

Mokgadi further alleged that Centlec has suffered a loss of R5 277 086 in the current financial year. She said this loss cannot be attributed to the effects of Covid-19 but can only be blamed on what she terms, “the gravy train in the form of salary increases”.

“I am personally embarrassed to have thought that a change in leadership was going to bring a difference in the people’s lives in Mangaung, especially for my people in Grassland, Roodewal, Bloemspruit, Heidedal, Pineheaven, Vaalbank-Suid, and Estoire, that have more days without electricity than with electricity. Public servants are there to serve the public and not to run down state institutions and enrich themselves. The entire Centlec has to be dismantled and we should only deal with Eskom,” Kganakga further adds.

ALSO READ: Mangaung’s Centlec rocked by allegations of illegal salary hikes

A year later, the power utility’s CEO was embroiled with ousted Nkomo in yet another scandal. Nkomo has previously dragged Sekoboto to court seeking to declare him a delinquent manager. Nkomo, in her affidavit disposed in court on 29 June 2022, made damning allegations against Sekoboto and indicates that there are no signed minutes of a board meeting of the entity, showing that Sekoboto was employed as such.

ALSO READ: Centlec's fired CFO drags CEO to High Court

Meanwhile, in September 2022 the entity announced that one of its employees, David Khanda, was allegedly killed whilst at home.

ALSO READ: Centlec mourns death of employee

The motive for the murder of Khanda is not yet known but the police spokesperson, Thabo Covane, has since confirmed to OFM News that they were investigating Khanda’s murder.

ALSO READ: Centlec employee’s murder investigated

Centlec is yet to comment on OFM News’ inquiry.

OFM News