Cloud hangs over Bay's IPTS boss

THE head of Nelson Mandela Bay's troubled multimillion-rand bus system, Mhleli Tshamase, was previously convicted of being in possession of stolen goods and slapped with a five-year prison sentence.

Tshamase, 48, allegedly did not disclose this when he was hired in the legal services department of the municipality in 2008 and subsequently appointed to lead the now stagnant Integrated Public Transport System (IPTS).

The IPTS boss has now applied and been shortlisted for the post of executive director of special projects. If appointed, he would not only manage the transport system but also other crucial development projects of the city.

Securing the job would also boost his salary from R1.3-million a year to at least R1.6-million. Free State police spokesman Sergeant Fikiswa Matoti confirmed that Tshamase was convicted in 2002 in Ficksburg of being in possession of stolen goods and was sentenced to five years in prison.

Tshamase has denied the conviction, claiming that someone stole his identity document in 2001 and that person was convicted under his name. - Nwabisa Makunga