This follows an alleged mass exodus of senior and middle managers who are also allegedly being targeted by the CEO of this government entity, Malefane Sekoboto. 

According to co-worker rep, Ishmael Oageng, who is representing another manager on precautionary suspension, those who have different views of Sekoboto are being targeted and dealt with through dubious means. 

He says those who toe the line are graciously rewarded by either positions or being shortlisted. 

Oageng says some of the officials, who have been involved in the dismissal of managers, were rewarded positions at the upper echelons of the entity, which is not shy from controversy.

On Tuesday 11 October 2022, at least two managers, including Amelia Makara, appeared before the disciplinary committee of Centlec after she was charged with sharing information with the media. 

Her co-worker Ogageng says the charges, seen as the main charges, were withdrawn but 'frivolous' additional charges, including absenteeism, were added. 

Ogageng adds by virtue of default, Makara’s 7-month precautionary suspension should be lifted. 

He has since accused the chairperson of the committee of being biased and lacking decorum.

ALSO READ: Centlec yet again embroiled in controversy

“I want South Africans to understand that Centlec is an entity and is using taxpayer’s money. We have debated in the hearing to say the presiding officer is biased and we have read his duties and even his appointment letter. His appointment letter is far from the time limit of the collective agreement. Now he said to us inside the hearing that if we want him to recuse himself we must write him a letter and so we did but in his response, he told us that he is God and refused to recuse himself and the letter had no Centlec cover letter, so how is this authentic?" Oageng says.

Since 2022, at least four managers, including senior and middle managers, were shown the door by Centlec. Those who were fired by Centlec include former and ousted Chief Financial Officer, Hlonelwa Nkomo. OFM News previously reported that Nkomo dragged Sekoboto to the Free State High Court with a bid to have him declared a delinquent manager.

But her bid was dealt a blow when a High Court judge backed Sekoboto.

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

Nkomo, in her affidavit disposed in court on 29 June 2022, makes 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.

“Upon the said appointment, the respondent failed to disclose he is not eligible for appointment as the director does not satisfy the qualifications as per the company’s memorandum of incorporation. Upon the said appointment, the respondent failed to disclose that he has been convicted of criminal offences, which would have disqualified the respondent from serving as a director,” Nkomo added in her court affidavit.

She has also produced a case number as evidence to the court in her attempt to have Sekoboto declared a delinquent director. He is also being accused of abusing his power as the CEO.

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 then 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

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

ALSO READ: Centlec employee’s murder investigated

Centlec is yet to comment on OFM News inquiry despite numerous inquiries.

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