Nuclear waste institute at war over CEO

Mantashe reinstates Margaret Mkhosi after board suspended her

● Mineral resources & energy minister Gwede Mantashe has overturned a decision by the board of South Africa’s nuclear waste organisation to suspend its CEO.

His intervention appears to have further inflamed office politics at the National Radioactive Waste Disposal Institute (NRWDI), which Mantashe described as a “toxic” working environment.

Central to the drama is its head, Margaret Mkhosi, who has been accused by some staff of destabilising the organisation. A list of grievances was submitted to the board last year, prompting her suspension in November.

Mkhosi submitted her own grievances directly to Mantashe, who rescinded the board’s decision “until the matter is properly deliberated”.

In a memo to NRWDI chair Thandeka Zungu on January 13, he wrote: “I hereby wish to express my dissatisfaction with the board’s failure to resolve internal conflict which exacerbated the toxic working environment within the entity. This happens notwithstanding the instructions to the board to defuse the unnecessary conflict manifested between the executives and the CEO, as well as the board itself.

“I further note that the board resolved to suspend the CEO without providing the recommendations for my consideration and endorsement.

“It should be noted that the powers to appoint and remove the CEO vest with me, to be exercised after having consulted with the board.”

Mantashe alerted Mkhosi to his decision. “I hereby acknowledge receipt of your grievance against the chairperson of the board, some board members, executives and the company secretary that was brought to my attention for the necessary intervention.”

Mantashe’s spokesperson Natie Shabangu confirmed the minister’s decision to rescind Mkhosi’s suspension. He said Mantashe is due to meet with the board next week to discuss the way forward.

The showdown followed a staff “rebellion” last year during an internal grievance hearing which laid bare ructions within the NRWDI. The trigger was a recording of a conversation between three staff members at the end of an official online meeting. Unaware they were being recorded, the trio allegedly made derogatory comments about colleagues.

The recording was transcribed as evidence for the hearing, which recommended they be disciplined.

The Sunday Times has also seen a list of grievances against Mkhosi, including reference to her “bullying” management style.

Several people linked to the NRWDI said this week it was in disarray, with staff fearful of reprisals.

“It is a difficult situation, and in the meantime, the organisation is falling apart,” said one.

An NRWDI source with knowledge of the dispute said the mineral resources & energy department had known about the board’s intention to act against Mkhosi. Mantashe’s intervention was, therefore, surprising.

His memo suggested the suspension was unprocedural, but a second source with knowledge of the events believes Mkhosi erred by submitting her grievances directly to Mantashe and questioned the minister’s intervention.

Another senior staff member said the minister may have been misinformed about the dynamics within the NRWDI.

“Since she [Mkhosi] has come back [from suspension], people are off sick. The mind games, the emotional abuse — it’s just too much. She has come back with a vengeance.”

Mantashe’s intervention coincides with a judgment against him for intervening in a board matter at the NNR. Cape Town high court judge Babalwa Mantame last week ruled Mantashe unfairly suspended Peter Becker, who was appointed in 2021 to represent civil society.

Becker is back on the board but is still being excluded from its meetings, said his lawyer Andrew Dorer.

“We have approached the regulator requesting that he [Becker] be afforded the accesses and rights of a board director ... To date, they have refused to provide those,” Dorer said.