AN investigation report has found that the appointment of an employee in the supply chain management (SCM) of a senior provisioning officer at the Ekurhuleni West TVET College was flawed, and calls for action to be taken against involved officials.
Tshikovhi Inc Attorneys was appointed as the investigator by Ekurhuleni West TVET College, which comprises over six campuses, namely; Alberton, Boksburg, Germiston, Kathorus, (in Katlehong/ Vosloorus/ Thokoza), Kempton (in Kempton Park), and Tembisa.
According to the report seen by the Sunday Independent, the college appointed the firm to conduct an investigation following the Auditor General’s (AG’s) findings of the financial statements for the financial year, which ended on the December 31 2023, which found that Valerie Rammbuda should not have been shortlisted as a candidate for the position of senior provisioning officer because she did not meet the requirements to be shortlisted as a candidate for the position.
The AG’s findings were that Rammbuda should not have been hired as a Senior Provisioning Officer. In addition, the AG found that her appointment contravened the provisions of the Policy and Procedures of the College.
The investigation report also revealed that management disagreed with the AG’s findings regarding the internal control deficiency. Consequently, they failed to address the identified internal control deficiency.
“According to the advert released by Ekurhuleni West TVET College, the minimum requirements for the position of Senior Provisioning Officer: SCM are a National N Diploma in Supply Chain Management/Logistics/Public Management, three to five years experience in supply chain management or related, computer literacy, knowledge of PFMA and Departmental policies, ITS, BAS/LOGIS system and asset disposal procedures, and a valid driver’s licence.
“Rammbuda possesses the required qualification, knowledge, and valid driver’s license, however, she does not have the required minimum years of experience of three years. This would mean that she should not have been hired as a senior provisioning officer,” read the report.
It further found that human resource personnel did not ensure that only suitable candidates who met all the requirements for the position were shortlisted, interviewed, and the most appropriate/qualified candidate was hired, adding that there were insufficient controls in place to ensure that sufficient background checks were performed before hiring potential candidates.
Further concerns were raised regarding the role played by the former acting principal, who chaired the shortlisting and interviewing panel.
“The Acting Principal played a tripartite role of being the college’s accounting officer, a Panel Member, and the approving authority for the appointment of selection committees, that shortlisted and interviewed candidates for the position of senior provisioning officer.
“The information provided in Part B of the Z83 Employment Application Form by Ms Rammbuda regarding her experience in the private sector does not match the information provided in her CV. The information in the Z83 Employment Application Form bearing Ms Rammbuda’s signature indicates one (1) year of experience in the private sector, however, her private sector experience in the provided CV exceeds two years.
“We further agree that without this overlap, Ms Rammbuda has less than 36 months of employment experience and should not have been shortlisted as a candidate for the position as she did not meet all the minimum requirements. Furthermore, this would mean that she should not have been hired as a senior provisioning officer,” read the report.
According to the findings of the investigation, the acting principal believed he had done everything by the book and distanced himself from any misrepresentation of Rammbuda's CV.
However, the report indicated that in his capacity as the acting principal and accounting officer for the college, he failed to avoid a possible conflict of interest by participating as an appointing authority for the selection committee for the senior provisioning officer position.
“While at the same time participating as a chairperson of the selection committee or a panel member and ultimately signing the employment offer by being the appointing officer. The argument that the college had no other person who could have chaired the selection committee cannot stand,” reads the report.
Among other deficiencies, the report found that the c college’s human resources unit acted improperly when requesting Rammbuda to provide two referees after she was interviewed.
It further stated that the standard reference check form used by the college is not fit for the purpose for which it was intended.
It was recommended by the investigators that Rammbuda be engaged in a mutual agreement, including voluntary resignation or demotion.
The institution refused to provide a comment and stated that it was an internal matter between the employer and the employee.
Rammbuda confirmed she was suspended but refused to comment on the allegations.