The statement comes after allegations that the former MEC of the department, Dan Khothule, has been appointed as the HOD. 

The Director for Media Strategy and Liaison Services, Palesa Chubisi, said the Office of the Premier wishes to categorically state that no such appointment has been made. 

The Director-General of the Provincial Government, Kopung Ralikontsane, said Premier Mxolisi Dukwana has not yet decided on the head of the above-mentioned department. “All the candidates have gone through the interview process. The premier is currently applying his mind to who would be the best suitable candidate for this important position. A proper announcement will be made in the not-so-distant future,” said Ralikontsane.

ALSO READ: Free State department still without HOD

It has been alleged that Khothule is among the candidates that have been interviewed for the position. It is understood that currently, the acting HOD is Tsoarelo Malakoane, who happens to be the HOD for the Department of Education. Malakoane succeeds Zola Thamae, who has been acting in the position for over a year. The appointment of a permanent HOD was initially supposed to be filled by October 2022. MEC Limakatso Mahasa announced during the tabling of her 2023/24 budget that the post remains vacant. However, Dukwana will in the next few months make an appointment.

ALSO READ: Thamae continues to act as Free State HOD

When Zola Thamae was appointed for the second time to act, it was alleged that someone else has been appointed to act in her permanent position, which is a director in the department – while she [Thamae] was acting as the HOD. It was further alleged that the person in question is getting paid as acting director. At the time, Chubisi did not supply answers to these allegations. In an attempt to uncover the truth about the abovementioned allegations, and the legality of two consecutive terms of acting as an HOD, an enquiry was sent to the departmental spokesperson, Tankiso Zola, which is yet to be answered.

ALSO READ: Free State to appoint remaining HODs by end of October

At least two other departments are still without HODs, the Department of Community Safety, Roads and Transport, together with Social Development. Roads has Masego Tshabalala as Acting HOD, while Social Development has Advocate Tumelo Jacob Phahlo.

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