City Press reports that Gauteng’s Lesedi local municipality has been advised to consider reclaiming money paid to a chief financial officer (CFO) and former municipal manager because he allegedly misrepresented his qualifications.  

A report by Gobodo Forensic Investigative Accounting recommends that consideration be given to recovering the more than R1.2 million per annum paid to Paul Mpele since his appointment in May 2016.  The report describes Mpele’s conduct as grossly dishonest in that, at the time of applying for the position of CFO at the municipality, he did not have the qualifications that he claimed to have in support of his application.  Further recommendations include that the municipality consider instituting disciplinary action against him, as well as “registering a criminal case for possible fraud in relation to his misrepresentation of his qualifications in his CV submitted to the municipality”.  The report states that:  “Mpele factually misrepresented having a BCom Accounting degree from the University of Durban-Westville, while in fact he had only attained a BCom”.  Also, he did not have “an honours degree in Generally Recognised Accounting Practices (GRAP) from the University of Stellenbosch”.  Various other misrepresentations were also identified.

• Read Setumo Stone’s original report in this regard in full at City Press

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