MEC Sebataolo Rachoene is said to have pressurised RAL board of directors resign.
A tumultuous storm is wreaking havoc within the corridors of power in the public works sector up north, forcing the board of directors at Road Agency Limpopo (RAL) to resign reluctantly.
The beleaguered board under the chairmanship of Matome Ralebipi abdicated from office, just a few months since its inception.
The board’s term of office, which commenced in February, was supposed to run until 2027.
Disenchanted board members told Mopani Times that they were forced to tender their resignations by newly-appointed MEC for Public Works, Roads and Infrastructure, Sebataolo Rachoene.
The board relinquished its power a few days ago following an illustrious tenure backed by an unqualified audit report for the fiscal year of 2023/2024.
It is understood that the new sheriff in town, Rachoene will appoint a new board aligned to him to preside over the agency.
One of the disgruntled board members, who opted to speak on the basis of anonymity for fear of victimisation, said the resignation was like a kick in the teeth.
The ostraciced director maintained that they were forced to resign because Rachoene wanted to install his politically preferred candidates aligned to his political mission.
He said “It is clear that the new MEC wants his own people who will champion his personal agenda. There are lots of red flags about this Rachoene character and sooner or later his true colours will be exposed. Why would someone who is not dodgy disapprove of a capable board? Clearly, there is something fishy about him.”
In a leaked letter authored by Ralebipi prior to his resignation, he said “I confirm that pursuant to your expression of your desire for the board of directors to resign from office, a meeting of the board was held on 30 July 2024, in which it was resolved that the board recognises the importance of affording the newly appointed Honourable MEC and the premier the opportunity to establish a team that is in alignment with the visions and goals of the new administration. The board grants the MEC and premier the requisite space and discretion to appoint and constitute a new board of directors that he believes will best advance the vision and goals of the new administration. The board accedes to your wishes that, as a unit, resigns from its office of directorship.
“That in the spirit of fostering a conducive environment for the transition, the board of directors provides its full support and avail itself for purposes of conducting a proper handover.”
Ralebipi and his co-board members said they are leaving the agency following eight unqualified audit reports.
“The agency, through the oversight of the board of directors, has led the performance to reach a milestone of ‘Unqualified Reports’ consecutively for the past eight financial years. It is a milestone that was maintained since 2016/2017. This is a signal of governance stability while the agency strives for continuous improvement. Wisdom was accumulated along the way by both the board of directors and management which became valuable in ensuring service delivery is achieved within the best possible governance requirements” said a dejected Ralebipi.
Ralebipi and his co-board members said they are leaving the agency following eight unqualified audit report.
“The agency, through the oversight of the board of directors, has led the performance to reach a milestone of ‘Unqualified Reports’ consecutively for the past eight financial years. It is a milestone that was maintained since 2016/2017. This is a signal of governance stability while the agency strives for continuous improvement. Wisdom was accumulated along the way by both the board of directors and management which became valuable in ensuring service delivery is achieved within the best possible governance requirements” said a dejected Ralebipi.
Despite the board’s achievements, Rachoene is less impressed and want his new brooms to sweep his own way.
Addressing the media in Polokwane recently, Rachoene said he has noted with grave concern the manner in which RAL is run by both the executive management and its board of directors.
Rachoene confirmed that: “I have been served with resignation letters by board members of RAL, up to this stage, leaving the current board not to form a quorum of the total number of eight board members. It is also important for me to indicate that there was still a vacant position of a board member to represent the transport department.”
He went on to say “It has also been brought to my attention that the entity has an over-commitment of projects amounting to R355 million and according to RAL officials, this over-commitment may be understated by R216 million. This is very worrisome given the fact that RAL receives its allocation from the provincial fiscus.”