New Bhisho sex scandal

BHISHO's sex-for-jobs scandal rocked the highest office in the province last week when it emerged that a man fired from his previous post for sexual misconduct was hired by premier Phumulo Masualle.

Despite saying he had been framed, Luyanda Madlingozi was dismissed as regional head of Economic Affairs in August 2011 following an internal disciplinary hearing. He is alleged to have demanded sex from an intern based at his Beacon Bay office in exchange for a permanent position.

Madlingozi, who had been out of a job since, has been appointed Masualle's chief of staff – a position in which he will oversee the running of all government departments and their parastatals.

The appointment was made a few days before Masualle announced his office would form a task team to investigate the sex-for-jobs scandal which recently rocked Bhisho.

Madlingozi has maintained his innocence andclaimed he had been framed by the then economic affairs MEC, Mcebisi Jonas. Jonas, now Deputy Minister of Finance, declined to comment on anything relating to Madlingozi's case.

Madlingozi went public about his dismissal about a year ago and shared a letter he alleges he wrote to then minister of police Nathi Mthethwa. Mthethwa's spokesman at the time Zweli Mninisi said they had no record of the letter.

In the letter Madlingozi accused Jonas of framing him. He said Jonas had a political score to settle with him for backing president Jacob Zuma's re-election for the top ANC position. Last week an official from the police ministry said they were unable to trace the letter as it was addressed to Mthethwa.

Madlingozi, a former Umkhonto we Sizwe operative, last week refused to comment, saying he had informed the media more than a year ago to investigate the "abuse" of power by Jonas but nothing came of it. On Thursday he said: "I now regard this case as sub-judice."

Economic Affairs spokesman Sixolile Makaula confirmed Madlingozi's dismissal, but said "the case is currently on arbitration".

His appointment to the premier's office has angered many Bhisho officials.

Presidency spokesman Mac Maharaj said questions relating to Madlingozi's appointment should be addressed to Masualle's office.

Masualle's spokeswoman Mandisa Titi said the office of the premier could not comment on Madlingozi's case as it was still in arbitration.

The woman complainant, who is still in the employ of the department, could not be contacted for comment by the time of going to print. - Zine George, Siya Miti and Bongani Fuzile