Cape Town – The Johannesburg Road Agency (JRA) has fired its CEO, Tshepo Mahanuke, following allegations of misrepresenting his qualifications.
His contract was terminated on Wednesday.
Mahanuke had been suspended since November of the previous year.
JRA board chairperson Charles Cilliers said the board’s decision to fire Mahanuke was taken following an investigation into the matter.
The JRA board found the allegations to be serious.
Despite being given an opportunity to respond to the charges, Mahanuke failed to provide any evidence refuting the claims.
NEWS: The JRA has terminated the contract of its CEO Tshepo Mahanuke.
According to the agency, Mahanuke failed to ‘provide any counterevidence to the evidence of fraud detected in his CV’. pic.twitter.com/mO7YhPBqPq
— Nkosi Malinga-Mnisi (@MnisiNkosikhona) June 14, 2023
The board decided to terminate his employment in accordance with the law and due to the significant legal costs incurred during the process.
“Given the serious nature and far-reaching ramifications of the matter at hand, coupled with the findings of a rigorous investigation and the failure of Mr. Mahanuke to respond to the charges levelled against him, the JRA Board resolved to immediately terminate Mr. Mahanuke’s employment with the Johannesburg Roads Agency,” said Cilliers.
He added: “The decision to terminate Mr. Mahanuke’s employment at the JRA complies with the Labour Relations Act, Schedule 8- Code of Good Practice on Dismissal, the relevant Case Law, and also considers the severe legal costs already incurred thus far.”
Mahanuke has been given seven days to appeal the decision but has not yet done so, according to the JRA.
According to IOL, Mahanuke was initially suspended in November last year after questions arose about his qualifications, which included a purported Harvard Master’s degree.
He also insisted he be referred to as ‘Doctor’ by senior JRA staff after he took office in August last year, the report said.
“Reports said Mahanuke had bought an honorary doctorate from the Trinity International University of Ambassadors and that his Master’s degree in competitive intelligence from ACI College was not actually offered at Harvard,” the report said.
Follow African Insider on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram
Picture: Twitter/@SAgovnews
For more African news, visit Africaninsider.com
Compiled by Betha Madhomu
