KZN Nehawu want 'fat cat's' head
2010-06-15 18:30
Johannesburg - The National Education, Health and Allied Workers' Union has called for the suspension of KwaZulu-Natal economic development security head Sipho Buthelezi over a tender.
Nehawu claimed that Buthelezi was allowed to replace a functional security system with a R2.3m system, even though the tender was not advertised.
"This goes against the call by Finance Minister Mr Pravin Gordhan for prudent expenditure of the taxpayer's money and it was also not done in the interests of the department and its stakeholders but to serve the interests of the corrupt few," alleged Nehawu spokesperson Sizwe Pamla.
"We can no longer watch the abuse of state funds without challenging the involved fat cats in a country ravaged by high levels of poverty and inequality," he said.
Nehawu picketed outside the department's offices on Monday when it handed over a memorandum of its grievance.
The union also asked economic development and tourism MEC Mike Mabuyakhulu to investigate the matter and take disciplinary action against anyone found guilty.
Pamla said the department should also remove the building's new steel gates and doors "because they are unnecessary and obstruct movement in the building".
Department spokesperson Bheko Madlala confirmed receipt of the memorandum. "We are looking into it and will respond accordingly," he said.
Last week, Madlala said the new security system was installed because the department believed it was in employees' interests to work in a safe environment.
- SAPA