POLOKWANE: The Department of Higher Education has dismissed Capricorn TVET College Principal Lekau Mamabolo after being charged with procurement irregularities, abuse of power and gross negligence.
The Department of Higher Education says that Mamabolo contravened the college’s Supply Chain Management Policy and failed to uphold his responsibilities as principal. The department states that the alleged misconduct caused material instability and embarrassment to the college.
The charges cover stem from corruption that happened between 2020 and 2024, involving procurement decisions, contract extensions, disposal of college assets and construction projects.
Mamabolo was accused of contravening clause 26.2.7 of the college’s SCM Policy by approving quotations and purchase orders from, a Level 5 clerk, during 2023 and 2024. It is alleged that the prices were inflated, no threshold guideline was followed and the Supply Chain Manager was overlooked.
The principal is accused of contravening clause 59.8.3 of the SCM Policy by allegedly failing to ensure that work was distributed fairly and equitably among the college’s panel of service providers between 2020 and 2024.
The notice alleges that he only considered two service providers and for electricity and plumbing services.
Mamabolo is accused of contravening clause 26.2.10 of the SCM Policy in 2020 by allegedly stopping or preventing a report from being presented by the auctioneer and the disposal committee.
According to the notice, this allegedly resulted in disposal money not being recovered or deposited into the college’s account, causing a potential financial loss or wasteful expenditure.
The principal is accused of contravening Section 217 of the Constitution by repeatedly extending the student hostel catering contract on a month-to-month basis between 2022 and 2024.
Alternatively, the department alleges that he contravened clause 10.11 of the college’s SCM Policy.
The notice alleges that, in or around 2023, Mamabolo re-advertised the catering tender for the Seshego, Senwabarwana and Polokwane campuses without providing a valid reason.
The department alleges that this contravened clause 71.1 of the college’s SCM Policy.
Mamabolo is accused of continuously renewing the travelling contract on a month-to-month basis between 2022 and 2024.
The department alleges that this contravened Section 217 of the Constitution or, alternatively, clause 10.11 of the college’s SCM Policy.
The principal is accused of abusing his power in 2022 by allegedly taking over the responsibilities of the SCM Manager and delegating or transferring them to other managers.
According to the notice, this allegedly contravened clause 26.4 of the SCM Policy or amounted to the improper demotion the SCM Manager.
Mamabolo is accused of contravening clause 140 of the college’s SCM Policy by allegedly approving a payment of R744,633 to law firms to review the SCM Policy in or around July 2024.
The notice alleges that he disregarded advice from the SCM Manager when approving the expenditure.
The principal faces a negligence allegation relating to tender documents that were allegedly kept in his office and/or strongroom.
The notice states that, on or about 23 October 2024, when he was asked to respond to a complaint by Supply Chain Managers he allegedly indicated that the documents had been lost or that the printed paper documents were untraceable.
Mamabolo is accused of gross negligence for allegedly approving a variation request on 10 October 2024 to renovate the old chicken house at Senwabarwana Campus by appointing a service provider under the guise of an urgent case.
The principal is accused of gross negligence for allegedly approving the construction of new ablution facilities at the Seshego and Ramokgopa campuses using a service provider on or about 7 September 2021, under the guise of an urgent case.
The Department of Higher Education and Training found Mamabolo guilty of 8 out of 11 charges that were brought against him. The Department has appointed the current Manager for Corporate Services, Jane Moja, as the Acting Principal.
Limpopo Newspaper attempted to contact Mamabolo for comment on the allegations, but he did not respond to the enquiries at the time of publication.
