Suspended Premier spin doctor’s silence

Limpopo Premier Stan Mathabatha’s suspended spokesperson, Kenny Mathivha, has chosen not to comment on the matter.

According to provincial government sources, Mathivha was suspended following disciplinary processes.

Asked by The BEAT to give his side of the story, Mathivha said: “I think the information that the office (of the Premier) gave you is sufficient.”

Limpopo provincial chief acting director of communications, Mamogo Ntuli, confirmed Mathivha’s suspension.

She said: “The office (of the Premier) can confirm the suspension of the spokesperson of the premier, Kenny Mathivha, subsequent to (him) undergoing a formal disciplinary process which was chaired by an external chairperson.”

Ntuli did not elaborate on the charges against Mathivha.

Mathivha has been Mathabatha’s spokesperson since 2013, and was recently acting as the provincial spokesperson following the suspension of Phuti Seloba in 2018.

His suspension comes a year after Seloba was placed on special leave.

The latter was accused of misconduct for allegedly sharing confidential information with the EFF with regards to Mathabatha’s schedule.

Seloba was accused of allegedly passing on information to EFF provincial leader, Jossey Buthane.

Ntuli released a statement to the media that says she did not want to discuss information related to the charges as they were a private matter.

“We shouldn’t get into that because he is already going through sanctions that he faces a two-month suspension, after which he would return to his job. He is currently on a two-month
suspension, which commenced on the first day of November until the last day of December. The office has fully complied with the recommendations of the disciplinary committee,” Ntuli added.

— The BEAT