Public Enterprises slams ‘underqualified terrorist’ claims against top official

The Department of Public Enterprises has poured cold water over reports that Minister Pravin Gordhan approved the appointment of a woman to a high-ranking post, despite not even having a matric certificate.

The Sunday Independent reported at the weekend that Gordhan’s chief of staff, Nthabiseng Borotho, was appointed in 2019 despite not meeting the minimum requirements for the job.

Annual salary of R1m-plus

Borotho was appointed Gordhan’s chief of staff in October 2019, earning more than R1 million per annum, including a monthly allowance of R7 035.

Gordhan reportedly sought the go-ahead from Public Service and Administration Minister Senzo Mchunu to hire Borotho, despite lacking the necessary qualifications and experience. 

Mchunu is said to have approved the appointment in an internal memo from August 2019.

Borotho ‘failed matric’

According to the publication, Borotho grew up in Gugulethu, where she wrote and subsequently failed her matric in 1995. However, the ministry hit back, saying she matriculated in 1997.

“Ms Borotho matriculated in 1997. She has never worked for the State Security Agency, or other intelligence agencies. She has never been the subject of any investigation or disciplinary process with respect to fraud, corruption and embezzlement of funds”, said Public Enterprises spokesperson Sam Mkokeli.

‘Family recruitment agency’

The newspaper has also cited insiders who accused Borotho of turning the ministry into a “family recruitment agency”, by appointing two family members, including her sister, to the department’s Cape Town office.

Sources further claimed that Borotho was quick to make use of some of the job perks – including taking possession of a luxury government vehicle and a petrol card.

“The appointment of ministerial staff is not done solely on Ms Borotho’s discretion as chief of staff. It is done through the normal administrative processes in which several individuals participate in the manner that applies to any ministry,” Mkokeli said.

“She drives her own vehicle and has, like any other ministerial staff, on occasion used a vehicle of the ministry for her official duties.”

Staff calls Borotho a ‘terrorist’

The paper has also cited sources who say staffers at the office have even dubbed her a “terrorist” due to the horrible treatment she has subjected them to.

“Nthabiseng is treating everyone very badly in the department and we don’t call her a terrorist for nothing. She is abusing her closeness with the minister, maybe because she knows she doesn’t deserve her position as she didn’t go to school like most of us and feels threatened by our presence and academic qualifications,” a colleague has been quoted as saying.