Thomas Hlungwavukosi Mushwana who retired as a teacher in December 2022 worked at Matimu high school and as a ward 24 councillor at the Greater Tzaneen local municipality from September 2015 until October 2021.“Mr Mushwana received remuneration from the municipality in contravention of section 33 of the EEA and such remuneration stands to be recovered,” said Gcaleka in the report released on Friday.
She said evidence obtained during the investigation confirmed that Mushwana was elected as a municipal councillor and performed remunerative work while he was employed by the department.“Though Mushwana made a declaration of interest to the municipality about his employment as an educator, he failed to inform the department and seek prior approval to work as a councillor as required,” she said in her report.
“The conduct of Mushwana in serving as a councillor while employed by the department as an educator, without prior authorisation from the department amounted to improper conduct.” According to the report, the evidence indicated that the department took disciplinary action against Mushwana, and the sanction imposed was three months without pay. Gcaleka also found that the Limpopo department of education failed to follow the department of public service and administration guidelines to regulate the participation of its employees in municipal elections and their election to municipal councils.