City Press reports that Eastern Cape department of rural development and agrarian reforms head Siphokazi Ndudane remains in her position days after she was arrested for not reporting fraud and corruption.

Eastern Cape Premier Oscar Mabuyane said he had noted the latest developments regarding the arrest of Ndudane and said he was weighing up his options in terms of the statutory and contractual obligations that might be available to him. Ndudane appeared in the Bellville Commercial Crimes Court last week after being charged with failing to report a fraud she had allegedly become aware of during her term at her former employer, the Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (DAFF). She faces two counts of contravention of the Prevention and Combating of Corrupt Activities Act and was granted bail of R100,000. Ndudane was appointed in November 2019 in the Eastern Cape – the same day she was fired by DAFF. Eastern Cape spokesperson Khuselwa Rantjie said when Mabuyane learnt of her dismissal, he immediately moved to withdraw her appointment as head of department (HoD), however, Ndudane challenged this in court and the court ruled in her favour. Rantjie added: “Further, the courts refused to grant the OTP leave to appeal the ruling. However, in line with the ruling of the court, the Office of the Premier was then compelled to continue with the appointment of Mrs Ndudane.” Ndudane resumed her position in January 2022.

• Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Mpumzi Zuzile at City Press (subscriber access only)

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