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Senior SPTC manager charged with 3 counts

11/06/2012 00:00:00 WELCOME DLAMINI

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MBABANE – A senior manager at the Swaziland Posts and Telecommunications Corporation has been charged with three disciplinary counts – two of which are dismissible offences.

Jabulani Mkhonta, holds the position of Hhohho Regional Manager.

An internal disciplinary process against the regional manager is scheduled to take place today.

The charges preferred against the regional manager, who has been with the Corporation for 23 years, emanate from his involvement late last month in a traffic accident in which he was on board a company vehicle.

However

, what has also been questioned in his case is that while it is reported that there are other pending cases of a similar nature, with some dating over two years, his has been expedited.

Appear

On June 1, 2012, Mkhonta was made to appear before the disciplinary tribunal that is set to reconvene today (Monday) after he requested for a postponement.

"He had asked for the hearing to be postponed for two weeks because he wanted to seek representation, but his request was denied. Instead, he was told that two weeks was too long and was only given one week," revealed a source.

Firstly, Mkhonta faces the charge of ‘unsanctioned use of the corporation’s vehicle’, which is a non-dismissible offence.

The second charge, which is dismissible, is that of ‘misappropriation of a vehicle’.

The third charge, also dismissible, is that of ‘general misconduct’.

"If you look at the charges, it’s a complete duplication. Usually, a person in this situation is charged with one offence which is that of misappropriation of a vehicle. But his has been separated into three," an observer said.

Concerns

Mkhonta is alleged to have raised concerns about the DC chairman and prosecutor as having an agenda against him but his concerns were never entertained.

"He asked that they should recuse themselves from the matter but they refused," a source said.

SPTC Corporate Communications Manager, Sifiso Nyembe, confirmed the disciplinary action against Mkhonta but did not want to comment further as he said this was an internal matter.

On the other hand, efforts to get comment from Mkhonta hit a snag as he flatly refused to entertain questions from this reporter.

"I don’t talk to the media, so if you want anything you better talk to the Corporation’s bosses.

I don’t have the mandate to talk to the media," Mkhonta said.

... appeal if you feel aggrieved - SPTC

MBABANE – The Swaziland Posts and Telecommunications Corporation has urged persons who are aggrieved by Jabulani Mkhonta’s disciplinary hearing to appeal to the organisation’s ‘highest authorities’.

This was said by Corporate Communications Manager, Sifiso Nyembe, when reacting to concerns that the proceedings were allegedly meant to get rid of the Hhohho regional manager.

It was also a reaction that the composition of the DC was allegedly skewed against Mkhonta.

"Although we ordinarily do not like commenting on internal proceedings, we can confirm that the disciplinary action you are talking about is under- way, and that any employee who takes an issue with anything surrounding the proceedings has the right to take his matter on appeal right through to the highest authorities. Even in this case, the Corporation will defend the employee’s right to appeal the outcome," Nyembe said.

Comments

There must be discipline in public parastatals. There is too much laxity on people who abuse state assets,and it's not good at all.
Jun 11, 2012, 10:13 AM, anonymous (mj@hth.com)

It is so unfortunate that the story does not cover every detail of what has happened. As employees we know that this is purely victimisation, with management trying to cover corruption that they did recently to this manager. They should give him his rightful position first and then charge him for the vehicle. There are vehicle cases dating back to more than 2 years, why then rush with this one? Of course to get rid of him and be able to clean their tracks.
Jun 11, 2012, 5:30 PM, Employee (employee@sptc.co.sz)