Sars IT boss heads to CCMA, claims she’s being forced to resign – report
'The employer has already concluded that I cannot be permitted to return to work as per his numerous letters in this regard,' she claims.
Sars head of IT Mmamathe Makhekhe-Mokhuane testifying at the Nugent Commission of Inquiry on Friday, 17 October 2018. Picture: ANA
Sars IT head Mmamathe Makhekhe-Mokhuane has reportedly approached the CCMA, claiming she is “currently being bullied to accept a separation without any charges being put against me”.
Makhekhe-Mokhuane reportedly claimed in a CCMA dispute submission form that her employer sent her home on January 14 and told her to “reflect” on a “mutual separation”.
“Since then I have not been informed what is the basis of a mutual separation. If I don’t accept the separation, I would face a disciplinary action. Therefore, the employer has already concluded that I cannot be permitted to return to work as per his numerous letters in this regard,” she was quoting as saying by News24.
Sars said it could not discuss the matter as it was deemed confidential.
Makhekhe-Mokhuane came under fire after a disastrous SABC interview, in which she told the presenter “protect me from yourself.”
The top IT executive was asked to resign and take a golden handshake, according to documents seen by The Citizen.
This alleged request to convince her to leave the organisation was confirmed by a well-placed Sars employee, who claimed that despite a disciplinary process under way against Makhekhe-Mokhuane, who is accused of bringing the institution into disrepute, no charges have been presented to her.
A disastrous televised interview she had on the SABC’s Morning Live show last year resulted in her being ridiculed for sounding uninformed about basic IT concepts and appearing unprepared for the interview. Her appeal to anchor Sakina Kamwendo to “protect me from yourself” also went viral on social media.
WATCH: Sars IT official asks for protection from Sakina Kamwendo
A source claimed that not only was she pushed to go on air at the 11th hour after Sars commissioner Mark Kingon cancelled his appearance, she was under strict instruction to avoid answering questions about Sars’ aging IT infrastructure, to insist all was well and encourage taxpayers to use the e-filing system.
Makhekhe-Mokhuane’s department became one of the key subjects of the Nugent commission of inquiry into Sars, which recommended the firing of former commissioner Tom Moyane.
She was placed on discretionary leave in January, according to Sars spokesperson Sandile Memela, although an official letter from Kingon seen by The Citizen suggests she went on extended sick leave soon after the SABC debacle, returning to her office in January this year.
The source argued she had, in fact, been on discretionary leave at the end of October. By then, she had already been temporarily replaced by Tau Mashigo, who was the group executive for service delivery before he left the organisation in March.
Intikhab Shaik, who also testified at the Nugent commission, has since been appointed as acting digital information services and technology (Dist) chief.
Meanwhile, Makhekhe-Mokhuane remains on paid leave.
ALSO READ: Sars head of IT estimated to earn the average SA monthly salary in two hours
(Background reporting by Simnikiwe Hlatshaneni)
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