Sam Mkokeli breaks ranks and convicts Gordhan for investigating whistleblowers

JOHANNESBURG – Public Enterprise Minister Pravin Gordhan’s spokesman Sam Mkokeli criticized his boss for launching an investigation to find whistleblowers who leaked information that his chief of staff did not have the required qualifications.

Nthabiseng Borotho was the center of a saga of post-matrix grades after the Independent Sunday revealed earlier this year that Gordhan appointed her despite not meeting the minimum criteria.

The allegations resurfaced once again in the same publication that reported that a forensic firm was appointed to find the officials who denounced Borotho.

Mkokeli called this an attack on whistleblowers, adding that the hunt for informants will create an atmosphere of fear and dictatorship.

According to the newspaper, Borotho was hired under questionable circumstances and turned the ministry into a family recruiting agency by allegedly employing her half sister.

The publication claimed that a forensic firm, Abacus Financial Crime Advisory, was appointed to investigate about 10 staff members suspected of leaking Borotho information, much to Mkokeli’s dismay.

The spokesperson said that genuine whistleblowers must be protected at all costs.

His attorney Clifford Levin said: “We note with extreme concern that Mkokei, who should be protected by the Protection Disclosure Act, has been a target.”

The department maintained that Borotho’s appointment was made in full compliance with public service requirements, regulations and the law.

But Mkokeli said this should make the accusations against the chief of staff much easier to disprove.

Since then, the department has criticized as “misleading” reports that officials involved in the investigations are being targeted.

(Edited by Refilwe Pitjeng)

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