Former MKP leader, officials challenge dismissals over R588m Covid-19 hospital renovations
Former Gauteng premier David Makhura at the opening of AngloGold Ashanti Hospital in Carletonville. Officials involved in the procurement of renovations of the facility, that skyrocketed from R50 million to R588m, are now challenging their dismissals.
Image: Supplied
FORMER uMkhonto weSizwe Party (MKP) secretary-general Dr. Sifiso Maseko and several other senior Gauteng provincial government officials are challenging their dismissals for renovations to a Covid-19 hospital, where costs ballooned from R50 million to R588m.
Maseko, who was the provincial department of health's chief director responsible for infrastructure management, was asked to return to work from suspension in October last year following the conclusion of his disciplinary hearing and while awaiting its findings.
In February, the provincial government announced that five of the nine officials, who were suspended in 2022 facing charges of financial misconduct and gross financial misconduct, had been dismissed and two received written warnings, one was acquitted while another could not be subjected to disciplinary action after leaving the public service.
They were held responsible for the costs of the skyrocketing project, from the initial estimate of R50m to R588m, without having received approval from the provincial health department.
The action taken against the officials followed Special Investigation Unit (SIU) recommendations that premier Panyaza Lesufi's office institute disciplinary action against them over irregularities in the awarding of contracts for the refurbishment of the Western Deep Levels Hospital (also known as the AngloGold Ashanti Hospital) in Carletonville on Gauteng's West Rand - at the height of the Covid-19 pandemic.
According to the SIU, a dozen professional service providers and contractors appointed for the project were not on the departments' approved panel and were telephonically advised of their appointments but overcharged the provincial government.
Maseko is now among the four officials challenging their dismissals alongside Mokhele Raseboka, Sipho Makhumisani and Trevor Tabane, who were employed by the Gauteng department of infrastructure development.
Video Player is loading.
Play Video
Play
Unmute
Current Time
0:00
/
Duration
-:-
Loaded :
0%
Stream Type LIVE
Seek to live, currently behind live
LIVE
Remaining Time
-
0:00
This is a modal window.
Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window.
Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan
Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan
Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan
Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque
Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps
Reset
restore all settings to the default values Done
Close Modal Dialog
End of dialog window.
Advertisement
Video Player is loading.
Play Video
Play
Unmute
Current Time
0:00
/
Duration
-:-
Loaded :
0%
Stream Type LIVE
Seek to live, currently behind live
LIVE
Remaining Time
-
0:00
This is a modal window.
Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window.
Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan
Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan
Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan
Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque
Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps
Reset
restore all settings to the default values Done
Close Modal Dialog
End of dialog window.
Next
Stay
Close ✕
The former MKP leader has hauled the provincial department of health before the Public Health and Social Development Sectoral Bargaining Council (PHSDSBC), where the provincial department of health wanted the matter to be heard as a stated case.
A stated case is arbitration without the need for a formal hearing or presentation of evidence and involves parties agreeing on specific relevant facts stating legal questions at issue.
Parties then submit their written arguments and submissions for consideration and a decision is made based solely on the agreed facts and the legal arguments presented in the submissions.
Both departments also wanted an order for the joint and consolidated arbitration disputes to be dealt with by way of a stated case to save time and money since it will be repetition of the same facts and testimonies about the same or similar acts of misconduct.
Maseko objected to the matter being heard as a stated case as he felt it would be prejudicial to him.
He also wanted his application to be consolidated with the one brought by Raseboka, Makhumisani and Tabane at the General Public Service Sector Bargaining Council.
Maseko told the PHSDSBC that all four affected employees seek relief based on the same cause of action arising from a joint disciplinary enquiry presided by the same presiding officer.
PHSDSBC commissioner Advocate Ronnie Bracks declined to consolidate the disputes on May 5, saying the bargaining council did not have the jurisdiction to do so.
Bracks also declined the provincial health department's bid to have the matter heard by way of a stated case but granted application for the appointment of a senior commissioner.
On Tuesday, Maseko said no date has been set for hearing the matter.
Maseko was the MKP secretary-general between June and October last year, when he resigned and was replaced by former EFF deputy president Floyd Shivambu.
loyiso.sidimba@inl.co.za
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
IOL News
an hour ago
- IOL News
Gender gap closes at fastest pace since pandemic, says WEF
A woman holds a placard reading "No gender gap" during a rally for gender equality and against violence towards women to mark the International Women's Day in Rome in this file photo. Image: AFP The global gender gap has closed to 68.8%, marking the strongest annual advancement since the Covid-19 pandemic, according to the World Economic Forum's Global Gender Gap Report 2025, released on Thursday. However, the report says full parity remains 123 years away at current rates. 'At a time of heightened global economic uncertainty and a low growth outlook combined with technological and demographic change, advancing gender parity represents a key force for economic renewal," said Saadia Zahidi, the managing director of the World Economic Forum (WEF). "The evidence is clear. Economies that have made decisive progress towards parity are positioning themselves for stronger, more innovative and more resilient economic progress.' WEF logo Image: Supplied Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ Ad Loading A key finding of the report was that at the aggregate level, high-income economies have closed 74.3% of their gender gap – slightly higher than the averages observed in lower income groups: 69.6% among upper-middle income, 66.0% among lower-middle-income,and 66.4% among low-income economies. However, the top performers among lower income economies have closed a greater share of their gender gaps than over half of the economies in the high-income group. Iceland leads the rankings, out of 148 nations, for the 16th year running, followed by Finland, Norway, the UK and New Zealand. South Africa places 33 with a gender parity score of 76.7% Sub-Saharan Africa ranks sixth among regions in the 2025 Global Gender Gap Index, with an overall gender parity score of 68.0%. The WEF report said that since 2006, the region has improved its parity score by 5.6 percentage points. Comprising 36 economies, the region displays significant heterogeneity in parity outcomes. The highest-ranked country, Namibia (81.1%), places 8th globally and is the only Sub-Saharan African economy in the global top 10 in 2025. Historically, Namibia has featured in the top 10 six times. . At the other end of the spectrum, Chad ranks 146th with a score of 57.1%, resulting in a 24-percentage-point gap between the top and bottom economies in the region place in the global top 100. In Economic Participation and Opportunity, Sub-Saharan Africa ranks fifth, with a score of 67.5%, marking a 4.8 percentage-point improvement since 2006. The report found the region presents diverse performance profiles in this dimension: Chad records the lowest score (44.4%), while Botswana leads globally (87.3%). Female labour-force participation ranges from 39.2% in Senegal to 80.7% in Nigeria. Representation of women in senior economic leadership varies widely, from 11.6% in Chad to 69.9% in Burkina region has achieved a 35.1 percentage-point improvement in parity for senior officials, managers and legislators, and a 12-point gain in labour-force participation parity. Sub-Saharan Africa ranks eighth in Educational Attainment, with a score of 85.6%, up 5.2 percentage points since 2006. "This improvement is largely driven by gains in educational enrolment parity,though challenges remain, the report said. However, female literacy parity has declined by 1.5 percentage points over time, and in 2025, female literacy rates remain below 50% in 13 economies. Female enrolment in primary education remains below 80% in nearly one-third of the region's economies. Further, at the tertiary level, only Mauritius has enrolment rates above 30% for both men and women. In line with other regions, women surpass men in tertiary enrolment rates, the report said. Looking at Political Empowerment, the report found that Sub-Saharan Africa ranks fifth, with a score of 22.2% – a 12.4 percentage point improvement since 2006. At the launch ofthe index, the region scored zero for years with female head of state; by 2025, parity in this indicator has reached 3.2%.
The Citizen
an hour ago
- The Citizen
Here is how to navigate tax as a sole proprietor
The tax season begins on 7 July and runs until 20 October. Here is how to navigate tax as a sole proprietor. Picture: iStock With tax season fast approaching, it is essential for taxpayers, especially sole proprietors, to navigate the season with ease. Running your own business as a sole proprietor in South Africa is one of the quickest and simplest ways to become your own boss. No complex registrations, no corporate red tape – just you, your business and full control over decision-making and profits. Unlike registered companies, sole proprietors are personally liable for all tax obligations. That means your business income is taxed as part of your personal income, and you will need to submit the right forms, keep clear financial records and fully understand which expenses you can, and cannot, deduct to reduce your tax burden. 'A well-managed financial system is critical for the growth and success of any small business,' said Wandile Mnguni, Head of Transactional Banking Products and Payments at FNB Commercial. ALSO READ: Almost time again for tax season: Here's when you will be auto-assessed Here are tips to navigate taxes with ease: 1. Register for tax and submit the right forms Mnguni said every sole proprietor must be registered with the South African Revenue Services (Sars) for income tax, and also needs to register as a provisional taxpayer. This means you must submit two IRP6 returns during the tax year (to estimate and pay tax in advance). At the end of the tax year, you will submit an ITR12 (your annual income tax return) to declare all earnings and expenses in your personal and business capacities. Where your business has made taxable (VATable) supplies exceeding R1 million in any consecutive 12-month period or where you reasonably expect to exceed this threshold in the next 12 months, VAT registration is mandatory. If your taxable (VATable) supplies are above R50,000, you can choose to voluntarily register for VAT. 'Being registered for VAT allows you to claim VAT on business expenses. Just remember this adds a significant administrative burden to your operations because you need to work out your VAT every month or two months, depending on the VAT category.' 2. Understand what you can and cannot deduct Mnguni advises that to minimise your tax liability, you should take advantage of allowable business deductions. While it is important to know the finer details of what can and cannot be deducted, generally, as a sole proprietor, you can deduct the following, provided you have adequate supporting documentation: Business-related rent, office supplies, advertising and salaries Travel and vehicle costs (but only for business-related travel, with a proper logbook) Home office expenses if you use a dedicated space for business Internet and phone bills, but only the portion used for business ALSO READ: Looming tax deadline and glitches cause frustration 3. If you have employees, you must deduct their tax 'As a sole proprietor registered with Sars, you can take on employees as your business grows. If you hire employees, your monthly tax obligations increase. 'You will need to register for Pay-As-You-Earn (PAYE) and deduct tax from salaries every month to pay over to SARS via an EMP201 return. You will also have to contribute to the Unemployment Insurance Fund (UIF) on behalf of each employee and register for the Skills Development Levy (SDL) if your payroll exceeds R500 000 per year.' Failing to comply with these obligations can result in severe penalties from SARS; therefore, ensure you are compliant from the outset. 4. Be smart to reduce your tax bill legally He added that, in addition to the amounts you can deduct from your taxable income for ongoing operational expenses, there are also other allowable ways to reduce taxable income and pay less tax: Contribute to a retirement annuity. This allows you to deduct up to 27.5% of your total taxable income, reducing your annual liability. Donate to qualifying public benefit organisations. Sars allows deductions for donations to registered public benefit organisations (with a Section 18A certificate). 5. Keep good records 'Sars requires businesses to keep records of all income and expenses for at least five years. Store invoices, receipts and tax documents securely to ensure compliance and simplify audits. 'Proper record-keeping also helps when claiming deductions or defending yourself in the event of a SARS audit.' 6. Consult a professional He recommends seeking professional tax advice from a registered tax practitioner to optimise deductions and ensure full compliance with Sars regulations. 'Having an expert in your corner ensures your business remains tax-efficient while avoiding unnecessary penalties.' NOW READ: Here is how much Sars boss and others in the government earn
The South African
an hour ago
- The South African
Spar boss Max Oliva quits to take over as McDonald's CEO
Veteran retail executive Max Oliva is stepping down as CEO of Spar South Africa after a 30-year tenure with the group to take on a new leadership role as the CEO of McDonald's South Africa. His appointment at the fast-food giant will take effect from 1 July 2025. When South Africans connect, we don't just network; we build a community. The Lekker Network is a professional network where every conversation starts with, 'How can I help you?' Come join us & be a part of a community of extraordinary Saffas. Oliva, widely respected within the industry for his strategic leadership and operational expertise, leaves behind a significant legacy at Spar. During his time with the retailer, he played a pivotal role in guiding the company through some of its most challenging chapters, including the Covid-19 pandemic, the rollout of the SAP enterprise resource planning system, and the broader digital transformation of the business. Spar Group CEO Angelo Swartz will assume Oliva's responsibilities, taking on operational leadership of the group's Southern Africa region. Swartz praised Oliva's impact and leadership, stating: 'I have had the privilege of working closely with Max for many years and have immense respect for his leadership and the legacy he leaves. Thanks to the strong foundation he has laid, I approach this next phase with confidence that, together with our talented team, we will continue to push forward and deliver on our growth ambitions for Southern Africa.' Spar described Oliva's exit as the end of an era, noting his enduring contribution to the company and the retail sector as a whole. Meanwhile, McDonald's South Africa has welcomed Oliva's appointment, citing his deep operational background and inclusive, values-driven leadership style as key factors behind the decision. The company expressed confidence that he will accelerate innovation, improve the customer experience, and strengthen McDonald's market position. 'Throughout his career, Oliva has been recognised for his inclusive, values-driven approach, and his ability to unite diverse teams around shared goals,' McDonald's SA said in a statement. 'These attributes, combined with his strong operational background, made him the clear choice to lead McDonald's SA forward.' Oliva's move marks a major leadership shift in two of South Africa's most prominent consumer-facing brands, as both Spar and McDonald's look to sharpen their competitive edge in a fast-evolving retail and food service landscape. Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1 Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.
