The Department of Transport says the appointment of a new CEO at the Road Traffic Management Corporation (RTMC) is on track.
This follows the ending of former controversial CEO Ranthoko Rakgoale's contract in December 2011. Transport minister Sibusiso Ndebele was handed a memorandum yesterday by RTMC employees requesting a resolution to various issues.
“Putting the RTMC in order has been one of our most urgent tasks. The RTMC was established for co-operative and co-ordinated strategic planning in respect of road traffic matters by the national, provincial and local spheres of government. It is, therefore, of paramount importance that this agency functions effectively and efficiently to fulfil its mandate,” says Ndebele.
Allegations confirmed
Rakgoale was suspended when an independent task team was appointed in February to investigate mismanagement at the RTMC. A mutual agreement to terminate his employment was made in December, although all matters pertaining to the civil and criminal charges against him will continue.
Complaints first arose after a damning independent financial audit detailing procurement irregularities and gross financial mismanagement at the RTMC.
The task team report showed all allegations against the corporation were true. This included R300 million worth of electronic National Traffic Information System transaction fees that were used irregularly, and IT-related irregularities to the value of R139 million.
Unqualified dictators
“It is our hope that the process of appointing a permanent CEO for the corporation will follow all laid down procedures and sound business principles for appointing a person to a post as important as CEO, and that this time, a suitably qualified and vetted leader will be appointed, since the RTMC has had more than its fair share of unqualified dictators,” said Justice Project of SA national chairman Howard Dembovsky.
He added that Collins Letsoalo has occupied the post of acting CEO for almost two years now.
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