The tug-of-war between the Mpumalanga Tourism and Parks Agency (MTPA) and its suspended CEO, Mduduzi Vilakazi, has taken a sharp turn after Vilakazi slapped the board with a letter demanding to know why he was suspended.
The board, a little over two weeks ago, placed Vilakazi under precautionary suspension while awaiting an investigation sanctioned by the board of directors into alleged misconduct that relates to a multimillion-rand tender meant for the renovation of structures at the world-renowned Barberton Makhonjwa Mountains.
In what is seen to be a fierce battle for the control of the R600 million budgeted entity between Vilakazi and the board of directors, he has vowed to fight tooth and nail to get his job back, accusing board officials of being hell-bent on getting rid of him because he had a stringent plan that got the entity three consecutive clean audits.
Speaking exclusively to “The Star”, Vilakazi opened up about his suspension, saying he was confused as to what his suspension was all about because there was no list as to what they would be investigating, and so he was reaching out to the courts to get his way.
“My suspension is confusing because since 2022, there has been an effort to remove me from the position and one of the reasons for the removal is that I know a lot, and those that are on the board find it difficult to have their way to control and run the entity the way they want to.
“I have approached lawyers to get a sense of what this suspension means because I must first protect my rights and ensure that my rights are protected entirely, and therefore I’ve approached my lawyers and given them instructions … I am not against the suspension, equally I’m not against the investigation. I am against processes not being followed,” he said.
Vilakazi also attributed the suspension to political meddling, saying the change of administration following the elections rubber-stamped his fate, intimating that he was not in close contact with the new Department of Economic Development and Tourism MEC, Makhosazane Masilela.
“I don’t know why I’m suspended. My speculation is that I’m suspended because there is a lack of knowledge from the board of directors, lack of understanding on how governance works and the political changes in the administration resulting in political meddling,” he said.
“With regard to the change of administration and the political role-players after the elections that has also played a role because we have a new MEC and we have a new premier… Even if they have not played any particular role … those who are seen to be closer to them might be doing everything to please the current leadership and as a result of that might become a political issue.
“I don’t think that a particular political party has taken a decision to say that they don’t want me, but I think the triumphalism of those who are called a winning faction might be playing it out that they want to remove those who have not supported them and put their own people, which then becomes a political matter … Those are issues I cannot turn a blind eye on,” he said.
He told “The Star” that the entity and the board had not replied to his letter of demand and was preparing court papers through his lawyers, Morathi and Mataka Attorneys, to approach the high court.
“I want a list of the allegations, because I was not given an opportunity to make a representation with regard to any allegations the board might have received, so as a result I’m forcing the board to tell me what those allegations are … so that I’m ready and know what those allegations are and what they are investigating,” he said.
Vilakazi denied any allegations pertaining to the Makhonjwa Mountains investigation.
“I know nothing about it and I want them to tell me what this is about,” he said.
“The Star” was sent from pillar to post when the publication went looking for answers.
First, it was the MTPA’s board chairperson who referred correspondence from “The Star” to the company’s secretary, Lucky Zitha, who said he was not in a position to respond and to speak to the department.
After contacting MEC Masilela, she referred “The Star” to the board.
“Good afternoon, can you please speak to the board as the CEO reports to the board,” Masilela wrote in a text.
Last week, on the sidelines of the Mpumalanga Tourism Expo media launch near Nelspruit, the entity’s acting CEO, Justus Mohlala, referred the publication to Mashego, who is the board chairperson.
“It’s a very sensitive matter and it’s handled by the board. They are in a better position to outline the process … The CEO should not be seen to be investigating the CEO,” said Mohlala.
The Star