The Office of the Public Protector in the Northern Cape confirmed that it received a complaint relating to allegations of improper conduct and maladministration relating to alleged irregularities in the recruitment and selection of traffic wardens by the provincial Department of Transport, Safety and Liaison.
THE OFFICE of the Public Protector in the Northern Cape confirmed that it received a complaint relating to allegations of improper conduct and maladministration relating to alleged irregularities in the recruitment and selection of traffic wardens by the provincial Department of Transport, Safety and Liaison.
The Public Servants Association had questioned the appointment of 50 traffic wardens in January, where only 25 posts were advertised.
The union stated that the successful candidates were interviewed telephonically and no security checks or proper vetting was conducted.
It also raised the alarm over possible nepotism, after three members of the same household, political affiliates, friends and family members were allegedly given preference.
It was further claimed that stipends for the trainees would amount to R4.2 million per annum and R12.1 million would be paid to the traffic wardens while on probation.
The provincial representative for the Office of the Public Protector, Mlungisi Khanya, stated this week that the complaint was still at the assessment stage.
“It has to be determined whether the matter falls under the jurisdiction of the Public Protector or whether the complainant has exhausted all internal remedies within the department before raising the matter with the Public Protector. As soon as this process is finalised, the complainant will then be advised of the next course of action in line with the Public Protector rules,” said Khanya.
He added that the complainant would be advised of the outcome of the assessment process before the end of the week.
