TimesLive reports that Public Works Minister Patricia de Lille and Minister in the Presidency Mondli Gungubele have lost another bid to prevent suspended director-general Sam Vukela returning to work.

On Monday, Labour Court judge Andre van Niekerk dismissed with costs Gungubele’s application to review and set aside an arbitration award by the General Public Service Sector Bargaining Council. The council had ordered Gungubele and De Lille to lift Vukela's suspension after finding they had committed an unlawful labour practice by suspending him beyond the 60-day period prescribed in the senior management service handbook. Gungubele, however, took the matter to the Labour Court, arguing that Vukela’s return would erode public trust and confidence in the state administration and cause irreparable damage to the department. But Van Niekerk dismissed the application for review, saying: “It remains for the arbitrator to determine, on the basis of evidence to be led on the merits, whether there is any substance to the applicant’s jurisdictional objections.” Vukela has been on paid suspension for two years. He is accused of awarding irregular contracts for state funerals, including that of struggle stalwart Winnie Madikizela-Mandela — among other allegations.

• Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Nonkululeko Njilo at TimesLive

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