By Akani Nkuna

The administrator of the Services Sector Education and Training Authority (SETA), Lehlogonolo Masoga, has condemned what he described as a culture of intimidation and victimisation of whistleblowers, warning that it undermines governance and cripples the entity’s performance.

Masoga said the climate discourages employees from speaking out against wrongdoing, allowing corruption and maladministration to persist unchecked.

“You can imagine that if employees are aware that there is a culture of intimidation in the organisation, it suppresses open engagement,” he said on Friday.

“Even when people see wrongdoing, they keep quiet because they fear severe punishment.”

He added that addressing these challenges is central to the administration’s mandate.

“These are some of the issues the administration seeks to address. Administration has been brought in as an instrument to respond to the challenges identified, including improving performance,” he said.

Masoga was speaking to the media at the Government Communication and Information System (GCIS) in Pretoria, following a mid-term progress report by the Higher Education Minister on three SETAs placed under administration — Services SETA, Construction SETA and Local Government SETA.

His remarks come amid scrutiny over the dismissal of three senior Services SETA employees between 2017 and 2020, who were accused at the time of enabling irregularities.

Masoga rejected that characterisation, saying the employees were, in fact, whistleblowers who had raised concerns about alleged corruption and maladministration within the entity.

Lehloma Ramajoe, a former senior manager for special projects who later moved to chamber operations, was suspended on 20 July 2019 and subsequently charged following an investigation by a firm of attorneys.

According to Masoga, Ramajoe had made protected disclosures relating to alleged maladministration involving several individuals.

A review of records corroborated his account, and it was determined that he suffered “occupational detriment” as a result.

He is now eligible for remedial action in terms of Section 193.

Similarly, Thandi Mkhize, who served as a senior manager for quality assurance from 2002 until her dismissal in 2017, was found to have been unfairly targeted.

She had been charged with misconduct, including allegedly sharing information with union members and inciting resistance to performance management changes.

“Based on the facts before me, it has been concluded that Mkhize was deliberately targeted,” Masoga said, adding that she will be compensated.

The third case involves Tshepiso Mofokeng, a chamber manager since 2008, who was dismissed in August 2019 for allegedly failing to perform her duties.

However, a review found that she had been unfairly victimised after raising concerns about irregularities within the entity. She will also receive compensation.

Masoga said these decisions form part of a broader effort to restore governance and accountability at Services SETA.

“Restorative justice incorporates, among other elements, active participation by affected parties, taking responsibility and a commitment to repairing harm, as well as a victim-centred approach,” he said.

“It is for this reason that, on behalf of Services SETA, I take full responsibility for the actions and inactions of my predecessors and commit to dispensing justice to the victims of our previous decisions.”

He added that disciplinary and legal action against individuals implicated in corruption and financial mismanagement is under way, with investigations being conducted by the Public Protector and the Hawks.

While some suspects have been identified, Masoga said names would not be disclosed until cases are finalised.

“Until someone is found guilty, it would be inappropriate to publicly name individuals. We will wait for the appropriate time,” he said.

INSIDE EDUCATION