Collapse

Hardworking JRA employees resurfacing the road. Photo: Johannesburg Roads Agency/ Facebook.

The collapse of Johannesburg Roads Agency

There seems to be no upright candidate without shenanigans to rescue the Johannesburg Roads Agency (JRA) away from its collapse.

Collapse

Hardworking JRA employees resurfacing the road. Photo: Johannesburg Roads Agency/ Facebook.

There seems to be no upright candidate without shenanigans to rescue the Johannesburg Roads Agency (JRA) away from its collapse.

UNPACKING THE JOHANNEBSURG ROADS AGENCY COLLAPSE CRISIS

MMC for Transport in the City of Johannesburg Councillor Funzi Ngobeni detailed how JRA has found itself on a brink of collapse over the years.

“In 2021/22 financial year, the then administration took a decision to retain a significant portion of the JRA’s budget in the office of the City Manager, a clear demonstration of the lack of trust that the administration had in the management,” he said.

“The board was also depleted, with a Chairperson on suspension and an executive management largely comprised of people in acting capacities.”

Ngobeni

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He said in February this year, work to stabilise the JRA began with a process to recruit Heads of Department of Infrastructure Development (ID) and the Public Relations and Stakeholder Engagement (PRSE) as well as key middle-management vacancies at depot level.

“Crucial though, was the vacancy for a Chief Executive Officer – for which Mr Tshepo Mahanuke applied and was ultimately deemed to be the successful candidate,” he said.

MISREPRESENTED QUALIFICATIONS TURN AGAINST CEO

Mahanuke has been thrust into the spotlight after his qualifications to hold office were placed under scrutiny.

It is reported that Mahanuke lied about obtaining a Master’s degree in “competitive intelligence” from ACI College, Harvard Business School. However, it was discovered that the institution does not offer such courses.

PREDECESSOR ONLY TALK NO ACTION

Prior to Mahanuke’s appointment, JRA trusted Selemo Republic Monakedi in 2020 who had the vision to use cutting-edge technology to execute his fiduciary duties at the Johannesburg Roads Agency (JRA). However, he left the organisation early this year after displeasure with his service. JRA then appointed Siyabonga Nodu to the position for a three-month acting period while the recruitment processes were being finalised to appoint a new CEO who happened to be Mahanuke.

The public awaits a report after Mahanuke’s qualifications have been carefully examined.

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