The Public Service Commission (PSC) and president Cyril Ramaphosa have been requested to research the identification and {qualifications} of the present Property Practitioners Regulatory Authority (PPRA) board chairperson Steven Ngubeni.
Previously axed as National Youth Development Agency boss on allegations of monetary misconduct in October 2013, and having left his subsequent place as Gauteng Gambling Board chief govt below a cloud of monetary misconduct, Ngubeni is no stranger to controversy.
In the letter addressed to Ramaphosa and the PSC, dated 30 June 2022, United Democratic Movement (UDM) chief Bantu Holomisa claims an investigation had found that Ngubeni has two identification numbers.
“In one of the identities, [Ngubeni] allegedly has one counterfeiting case registered against his name,” he acknowledged in the letter copied to human settlements minister Mmamoloko Kubayi.
In gentle of this alleged revelation, Holomisa stated the query now was whether or not Ngubeni made Kubayi conscious of his two identities and the counterfeiting cost previous to his appointment and if that’s the case, what was her response.
“If she was aware of this situation, she has a case to answer. Now that the presidency have (sic) been made aware of the situation, could your offices please investigate the matter,” he wrote.
In a comply with up letter dated 5 July, he stated pursuant to him posting the first letter on social media, he had acquired a name from Ngubeni denying the allegations and that the investigations firm had denied ever investigating him.
Holomisa stated he took down that the tweet after receiving the name from Ngubeni and a subsequent textual content message during which Ngubeni denied the allegations, however stated the grievance stands.
“Mr Ngubeni’s current ID number differs from that of his qualifications and the question remains whether [Kubayi] vetted this information at the time of his appointment. It is clear that this matter needs further scrutiny to the satisfaction of the responsible bodies,” he stated in the letter.
Holomisa confirmed writing the letter however stated he was but to obtain responses from the presidency and Kubayi’s workplace. Meanwhile the PSC appearing chairperson Dr Somadoda Fikeni has confirmed the matter was receiving consideration.
Human settlement ministry spokesperson Hlengiwe Nhlabathi-Makota stated the minister didn’t obtain the letter straight from Holomisa however picked it up on social media.
She stated Kubayi has responded with all the related paperwork to Ramaphosa and the PSC even previous to a response being solicited on 2 July.
Ngubeni denied the allegations, however stated he’ll gladly welcome any inquiry by the PSC and the presidency on the matter, saying he was assured there is not going to be any antagonistic findings confirming the allegations.
“I have already indicated to Holomisa that I have an issue with his acts of defamation, and not his decision to write to the PSC and the Presidency. To this end I have attempted to get him to retract and apologise. He nominated to simply delete his twitter posting. I do not accept this. I am expecting an apology and a retraction. Until then, litigation is the only option offered by Holomisa,” he stated.
Ngubeni stated he has all the time subjected his authorized paperwork and {qualifications} to scrutiny and these have by no means been discovered wanting, however stated he understood that it could be merely “difficult for Holomisa and his ilk to believe that someone like him me could hold such academic credentials”.
“The correct version is that I lawfully and legally changed my ID number in 2013. I do not have any criminal record against my name. Even on the old ID number the SAPS show that I was once charged and the charges against me were lawfully withdrawn,” he added.
Presidency spokesperson Vincent Magwenya and PSC spokespersons Zodwa Mtsweni are but to answer questions.
The agency that performed the investigation has confirmed the authenticity of the investigation to The Citizen by its attorneys.
“Kindly take note that our client did conduct the investigation and report on [Ngubeni].
Our client was instructed by their client to perform said investigation. Our client can however
not reveal the name of their client,” authorized advisor Justin Blignaut stated.
