It's who you know in Bhisho . . .

NEHAWU has upped the ante in Bhisho with fresh claims of nepotism and sexual harassment by managers in a memo to Local Government MEC Fikile Xasa.

Local Government superintendent-general Stanley Khanyile also became the first boss identified by the union in what is growing into a broader jobs scandal in the provincial capital. Khanyile, who was yet to see the memo, denied any wrongdoing.

Union leaders claimed he was "implicated in the intended ignorance of recruitment policy and employing foreigners, and also not implementing the employment equity policy".

But Khanyile said: "All proper procedures were followed. This department is one of [the best], if not the best, performing in regard to recruiting staff." He promised a full response to the allegations today.

The memo also demanded an end to "the appointments of friends, girlfriends and families". Asked to explain, Nehawu branch chairman Lennox Maho said they knew of two women who had shot through the ranks thanks to their connections to a senior manager. The names of the women were not provided.

But it has added to recent revelations that top bosses in Bhisho were allegedly offering jobs to women interns in exchange for sexual favours.

Nehawu has handed over a dossier to speaker Noxolo Kiviet to investigate.

Yesterday's memo also took aim at the staff of former local government MEC Mlibo Qoboshiyane, suggesting a motive other than a simple call for transparency.

The union alleged that government employment processes were again flouted when two of Qoboshiyane's former core staff were recently absorbed as permanent employees within the department.

"We call upon all staff of the previous MEC to leave the building immediately and to comply with the ministerial handbook," the union said.

A member of the executive council can appoint up to nine core staff members, who will serve for the duration of the MEC's term in office.

Khanyile said: "In this case, as it is done in all departments, the MEC's core staff are given two-month contracts after the end of term to enable a proper handover.

"Then if they don't get absorbed by the new office, they are released."

The union also demanded the immediate lifting of all suspensions of senior managers and has called on Xasa to establish a task team to investigate concerns it has raised.

Local Government spokesman Mamkeli Ngam confirmed that Xasa had received the memorandum and was dealing with the issues raised. "He is meeting the union leadership later [yesterday] to discuss the issues," Ngam said.

Nehawu stirred up a hornet's nest in the corridors of Bhisho last week when it alleged senior managers of various departments had asked for sexual favours in return for providing jobs. Four women spoke out about it last week.

Gender activists have called on the government to ensure that the perpetrators are identified and dealt with.

In a meeting with Nehawu more than a week ago, Kiviet asked for three months to investigate the allegations and report back. - Mphumzi Zuzile