Mmamathe Makhekhe-Mokhuane appeared on SABC 2 on Wednesday 17 October 2018 (SABC / Twitter screenshot)
Mmamathe Makhekhe-Mokhuane appeared on SABC 2 on Wednesday 17 October 2018 (SABC / Twitter screenshot)
She became one of the most reluctant household names in South Africa within the space of 24 hours in October. SARS IT Chief Mmamathe Makhekhe-Mokhuane made a memorable gaffe on the TV, before dropping jaws with her responses at the Nugent Commission.
Makhekhe-Mokhuane appeared on SABC to try and allay fears about the outdated computer systems that were in place at the tax firm: With citizens fearful that blunders could hit them in their pockets, Triple M was there to assure the public all would be fine. Surely you know the rest by now?
Her garbled interview – which culminated in reducing a news anchor to giggles after she asked for “protection” from a line of questioning – went viral as soon as it was broadcast. Later that week, she gave a series of obstructive and “arrogant” answers to the panel investigating misconduct at SARS. From there, a star was born.
Mmamathe Makhekhe-Mokhuane secured her own pay rise
As MyBroadband report, Makhekhe-Mokhuane seems to have always had hubris by the bucketful. After the recent release of the Nugent Commission’s report, they were able to confirm that IT “expert” went in with some pretty lofty ambitions – it’s just a shame they were only really concerned her bank account.
When she was interviewed for the Head of Digital Information and Services Technologies, the commission report that there was “an absence” of senior executives in the process. She was appointed in July 2016.
What Makhekhe-Mokhuane earns
Nugent’s research shows that MMM had barely got her feet under the table before she requested a pay rise from the department. According to the report, Moyane approved Makhekhe-Mokhuane’s request for a 42% increase the next day. It’s that easy, huh?
Staggeringly, her annual wage shot up from R2.2 million to R3.1 million – something Robert Nugent highlighted as “deeply concerning”, given that an official could just name their price and get away with it.
What are Mmamathe Makhekhe-Mokhuane’s qualifications?
Make no mistake, The IT chief is definitely qualified for the job: According to her profile on the SARS website, Mmamathe Makhekhe-Mokhuane has several Information Technology diplomas from a number of Institutions. While working at the Department of Transport as CIO, she also obtained a Master’s degree in Business Administration from the North West University.
She began her career in IT management as the Provincial Director for North West. From there, she went to iron out the systems at the Transport department, before taking on an executive role at the Department of Communications.
However, there’s every chance she’s been “institutionalised” after working under the likes of Supra Mahumapelo and Tom Moyane. Her desire to evolve and continue to improve may have waned under their stewardship.
