News24 reports that the extended suspension of fraud-accused Nelson Mandela Bay City Manager, Noxolo Nqwazi, is said to be against the Local Government Disciplinary Regulations for Senior Managers, according to Nqwazi's lawyers.
Nqwazi, who was placed on precautionary suspension in October last year, unexpectedly returned to work last Wednesday. However, she was immediately slapped with an extended suspension of another 90 days, which had already been sent to her lawyers in a letter two weeks ago after more allegations against her surfaced. Nqwazi was completely isolated on Wednesday, with her access to the servers, internet, computer and other municipal assets cut off. She left the office after a few hours, claiming her presence at work was a "security risk". She has since been denied access to the premises. Meanwhile, in a letter sent last week to the mayor, Gary van Niekerk, Pagdens Attorneys said that, according to the disciplinary regulations, a suspension of three months could not be extended. The letter also pointed out that, should no disciplinary action be taken against a suspended senior manager within three months after the date of suspension, the suspension automatically lapsed, which was why Nqwazi was advised to return to work last week. Van Niekerk acknowledged the regulations, but said the municipality was in a "predicament" because her presence at work could jeopardise the investigation. According to Van Niekerk, he has given instructions for a forensic investigator to be appointed to investigate the allegations against Nqwazi as per the recommendations of the disciplinary board. He claimed that, because Nqwazi had approached the court to fight the suspension, the matter was sub judice and the council’s hands were tied while the matter was in court. There had thus not been enough time to take all the necessary disciplinary steps against Nqwazi during the 90-day suspension.
- Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Candice Bezuidenhout at News24 (subscriber access only)
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