IOL reports that the Richards Bay-headquartered Mhlathuze Water board has parted ways with its suspended CEO, Mthokozisi Pius Duze and its suspended chief financial officer, Babongile Mnyandu.
According to a notice to staff sent out on Monday, their services ended on 31 October and 13 September, respectively. It is not yet clear whether their resignations, which come almost after a year after they were put on ice, were mutual or they were forced out as a result of their ongoing corruption trial that started in August. They are accused of approving dubious legal services tenders for Durban law firm Mhlanga, which is owned by lawyer Sithembelo Ralph Mhlanga. In its court papers before the Specialised Commercial Crimes Court in Durban, the State alleges that the law firm paid the two kickbacks and they were pampered with gifts. “The two had been on precautionary suspension since December 2021. The status of the other officials who were also put on precautionary suspension pending disciplinary action has not changed,” reads the notice. Mhlathuze Water, which provides bulk water to big industries in Richards Bay, to the City of uMhlathuze (Empangeni-Richards Bay) and to other parts of northern KwaZulu-Natal, said the departures would not hamper its services.
- Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Sihle Mavuso at IOL
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