While the Local Organising Committee (LOC) for the 2010 World Cup has faced criticism - virtually from the start - from some quarters about its ability to host the event successfully, it certainly has done little to placate doomsayers.
Yes, instead of running a tight ship and actually silencing its critics, the LOC has done everything to the contrary - steadily revealing itself as the circus it really is. And like any good circus, there is certainly no shortage of clowns populating the LOC's Nasrec offices.
This week, in yet another scoop, ITWeb exposed that the LOC's IT head, Zakes Mnisi, had been suspended after allegations of financial impropriety.
Some further digging revealed Mnisi is no stranger to being caught with his hand in the cookie jar. Indeed, Mnisi has been through the whole suspension and firing thing before, so at least he knows the drill.
You see, Mnisi was kicked out of arivia.kom back in 2005 for - you guessed it - corruption involving a tender.
One would think the disgraced arivia outsource executive would vanish into obscurity. But alas, the tenacious Mnisi popped up again - this time in a global setting. Now here is where things get interesting (and a bit more complicated). It is understood that no background check had been done on Mnisi before he was unleashed on the LOC and its piggy bank.
Dumb or dumber?
The discussion becomes no more than a debate about dishonesty versus stupidity.
Martin Czernowalow, news editor, ITWeb
Whether the background check was fluffed due to simple incompetence, or waived on purpose, is a matter of discussion. The LOC's HR head, Nomzamo Kasana (who would have hired Mnisi), left the organisation under a cloud last year. She had been suspended and was being probed for hiring irregularities, but resigned before this process concluded.
The LOC's reaction, after Kasana's departure, suggests it may have suspected job piracy - it called in most of its staff and questioned them around how they had applied for their jobs and how they were appointed.
I guess it doesn't really matter, at the end of the day. The discussion becomes no more than a debate about dishonesty versus stupidity. However, one is tempted to say stupidity is the lesser evil.
Sadly, not doing background checks, for whatever reason, seems to be an endemic at the LOC. I have it on good authority that another high-level executive is being haunted by ghosts from his past. This gentleman is wanted for financial irregularities at his previous employ and summonses are regularly being delivered at the LOC. This chap, however, has so far successfully escaped being served, due to his constant absence from the office. I shudder to think what he's doing.
Nonetheless, the Confederations Cup is approaching fast, so let's hope this bunch can get their act together.
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