City mum on Pikitup boss’ arrest
JOBURG – The City of Joburg continues to duck questions around the recently reinstated Pikitup managing director Amanda Nair subsequent arrest.
Last week, Democratic Alliance (DA) councillor Anthony Still noted how the City of Johannesburg had treated Nair’s reinstatement as “overwhelmingly positive across all media platforms”. He said news of her subsequent arrest must, therefore, cause some concern and further instability at Pikitup.
Still asked Member of the Mayoral Committee, Matshidiso Mfikoe, to “please tell us who laid the charge, what the charge is and when the case will come before the court”. He also wanted to know whether Nair was discharged of her duties as per normal procedure.
“Finally, can we also be told why a certain Mr Donovan Denysson has been rehired on a whopping great salary of R1.4m per annum after he resigned last year before being found guilty of theft in a disciplinary hearing in absentia?” Still asked.
MMC Mfikoe did not give details of the charges against Nair, but said the case had been remanded until 2 July. She said an investigation was underway into the rehiring of Denysson.
This reporter contacted the City with a series of questions around the issue which included whether she was still in her position and, if yes, what the City’s rules were around someone facing criminal charges in a court of law. The reporter also asked if Nair was arrested with another city official from Pikitup and, if so, what the official word from the City was, especially since Nair was reinstated in February. This reporter asked for confirmation about reports that Donovan Denysson was rehired on a salary of R1.4m per annum after he resigned last year before being found guilty of theft.
However, Jacky Mashapu from Pikitutp said, “The matter is sub judice. We are not able to elaborate further on the matter.”
Meanwhile, Gauteng police spokesperson, Lieutenant Kay Makhubele, confirmed that the managing director of Pikitup was arrested at their offices in Johannesburg on an allegation of theft. “The complainant, who is also an employee of Pikitup, opened the case at Hillbrow Police Station. [Nair] appeared before Hillbrow Magistrates’ Court and bail of R500 was granted,” said Makhubele.
Makhubele added that Nair will be back in court on 9 July and said the case was still under investigation.
