Language board rocked with another suspension

By Ofentse Mokae
17 May 2010

The Pan South African Language Board has been marred by yet another suspension of its employees, this time its Senior Legal Advisor Advocate Zixolisile Feni.

Acting Chief Executive Chris Swepu confirmed today that as the accounting officer for the board he has suspended Feni pending an investigation into possible charges of misconduct.

“Although it was not an easy decision to take, it had to be done to bring stability and discipline within the organisation as there is no one who is above the law at PanSALB including its accounting officer. This decision has been communicated to the Board,” Swepu said.

With full pay, Feni will remain in suspension until an investigation or disciplinary hearing with regards to a possible charge has been completed.

Meanwhile newspaper reports say the suspension of the board CEO Rosemary Nkosi is set to drag on for several more months.

According to reports Nkosi has spent more than a year at home also on full pay after suspension following allegations of financial mismanagement, abuse of power and insubordination.

The matter is now in court and will be heard in November.

The Board was established according to the Constitution as a chapter nine institution to promote and create conditions for the development and use of official languages as well as to promote and ensure respect for all languages commonly used by communities in South Africa, amongst others.

Feni was served with the suspension letter last Thursday.