Whistleblower admits mistake
2003-02-24 18:09
Cape Town - The man who blew the whistle on alleged recruitment irregularities at the Western Cape's department of correctional services admitted on Monday that he too might have acted irregularly on at least one occasion.
Former departmental acting head of recruitment in the Western Cape, Samuel Theron, admitted during cross examination that he could have irregularly added the name of a certain Jeanette Mathwa to a final list of recruits sent to the department's head office in Pretoria.
Theron had in an affidavit implicated the former provincial commissioner Mnikelwa Nxele, who allegedly provided jobs for friends.
Theron was testifying during cross examination by Nxele's legal representative Joey Moses.
According to Moses, Theron had interviewed Mathwa in May 2001 and added her name to the final list of December recruits after she had written a letter complaining to the Minister of Correctional Services as well as the president about not getting a job. According to documents, Mathwa was not interviewed in December.
Moses put it to Theron that the ministry requested the provincial department to look into the matter.
According to a provincial investigation, it was found that Mathwa had been short-listed after being interviewed in May, and was recommended for the next stage, a medical examination. However, she was apparently in hospital at the time and could not attend. She subsequently lost the opportunity to take up permanent employment at the department.
Moses produced documents showing that Mathwa's name was added to the December list of recruits that were interviewed even though she did not go through the entire process again, as was required.
"There was an interview with her in May and December, but I don't know who the panellists are or where the interview took place," said Theron.
Pressed by Moses, Theron admitted that he could have added Mathwa's name irregularly.
At this stage it is unclear whether Nxele will take the stand to refute allegations made in Theron's original affidavit.
The commission earlier heard that approximately 30 000 applicants applied for only 100 jobs in 2001/2002 Western Cape recruitment drive.
- SAPA