War rocks Nehawu over 'cooked' treasury job

Mpumalanga branch says Masilela is not qualified

- By Tshwarelo eseng Mogakane

A major rift has erupted within the National Education, Health and Allied Workers Union (Nehawu) in Mpumalanga, where a branch has clashed with the provincial leadership over the appointment of union chairperson Sidumo Bethuel Masilela to a senior post in the Mpumalanga Provincial Treasury.

Nehawu, one of South Africa's largest public-sector unions representing teachers, nurses, social workers and government administrators, is facing a deep internal fallout, which has pitted provincial structures against each other.

The dispute stems from Masilela's appointment as deputy director: planning, a position the treasury branch insists he did not qualify for.

The initial complaint was lodged on July 3, shortly after interviews were conducted, while Masilela's appointment was finalised and took effect on October 1.

In a complaint sent to head of department Gugu Mashiteng and later escalated to finance MEC Bonakele Majuba, the branch accused the department of flouting recruitment rules, alleging that Masilela lacked the minimum three years of functional experience in public service policy and planning required for the post.