The South African Post Office and its CEO Christopher Hlekane have agreed to part ways, almost a year after he went on “special extended leave” amid a prolonged strike.
Post Office chairman Simo Lushaba said in a statement on Tuesday that the contract was terminated on 1 September 2015.
An internal memo sent to staff in the first week of October 2014 said Hlekane had “decided” to go on extended leave.
His departure ends the internal process in which the Post Office defended implementing a disciplinary hearing against him. Hlekane will be paid his outstanding leave and pension, said Lushaba.
“We welcome this development, as it enables the board to commence the process of sourcing a replacement,” said Lushaba.
“The role of CEO is supremely critical, more so for an entity like the South African Post Office, which is currently involved in major re-engineering initiatives for the sole benefit of its customers,” he said.
Lushaba, whose role as post office administrator was extended to 30 September, briefed parliament on Tuesday about progress made in the turnaround strategy.
Millions of rands have been paid to top officials at the company for settlements in the past five years, The Star reported on 3 August.
Telecommunications & postal services minister Siyabonga Cwele told parliament last month that his department paid out R5m in settlements to six Post Office executives since 2011.
These payments included:
- R404 615,93 to company secretary Bessie Bulunga, who was paid out in March 2014 after her dismissal
- R370 000 in an arbitration settlement to Maphutha Diaz in November 2013
- R1,7m to Marietjie Lancaster who received a voluntary retrenchment package in March 2013
- R1,5m to group CEO Motshoanetsi Lefoka in January 2012 in an arbitration settlement that followed his resignation
- R532 000 to group manager RM Neshunzhi in an arbitration settlement in November 2011
- R548 058,25 to chief operations officer John Wentzel in July 2011
The Post Office was put under administration in November last year after a protracted four-month illegal strike that dented postal services.
Deputy president Cyril Ramaphosa was assigned by cabinet in December 2014 to develop turnaround strategies for parastatals, including the Post Office, Eskom and South African Airways to enable them to play a meaningful role in contributing towards South Africa’s growth and development. — Fin24