The Auditor General South Africa (AGSA) has suspended Chief People Officer (CPO) Mlungisi Mabaso for threatening to expose alleged corruption against Auditor-General (AG) Tsakani Maluleke.
In a lengthy statement on Thursday, Maluleke said she held a meeting with Mabaso on 27 June 2022.
In the meeting, Mabaso accused the AG of “corrupt, unprofessional and unethical conduct”.
Maluleke said: “The CPO wanted mutual separation (financial settlement) in exchange for him not exposing allegations to the public.”
The statement said the investigation into the conduct of the CPO has led to charges of gross misconduct and a disciplinary process.
“The CPO is on precautionary suspension until the completion of the disciplinary inquiry, which will be chaired by an independent senior counsel appointed for this purpose,” said the statement.
The AGSA said a legal opinion into the legality of the transactions and decisions made by Maluleke, which Mabaso alleged were corrupt, has been concluded.
The legal opinion found “no merit in the allegations that the AG’s conduct amounted to corruption or unprofessional, unethical behaviour”.
Mabaso is expected to appear before the disciplinary committee before the end of September 2022.
