Durban — Government entity Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife, a nature conservation agency, is keeping mum about the reasons for the dramatic suspension of its CFO, Nonhlanhla Khumalo, who was placed on immediate suspension last week.
However, insiders have told the Daily News that Khumalo was allegedly accused of “serious misconduct” that had brought the entity into disrepute.
“We were not told as to why she was suspended, but we understand that she is linked to serious misconduct in the entity.
“I don’t see her surviving this. The leadership of the entity wants to fire her,” said a senior Ezemvelo employee, who was not authorised to speak to the media.
Another staff member said: “The leadership of the entity has been watching her until she was placed on precautionary suspension last week.
“It has been said in the corridors that she is allegedly linked to some issues that have to do with the finances of the entity ... It is indeed a serious matter that could end her career and leave her with a stained reputation.”
The news of Khumalo’s suspension was communicated to staff by CFO Sihle Mkhize last week.
Ebrahim Mulla has been appointed as acting CFO.
In a memo sent to staff, dated August 23, Mkhize said: “This serves to inform you that with effect from today, August 23, 2024, Mr Ebrahim Mulla has been appointed as the acting chief financial officer of Ezemvelo. In his acting capacity, Mr Mulla will continue to oversee both the commercial and the finance units.”
He added: “This follows my decision to place the chief financial officer, Ms Nonhlanhla Khumalo, on precautionary suspension pending an investigation into serious allegations of misconduct levelled against her.”
Musa Mntambo, the spokesperson of the entity, would not be drawn into commenting about the reason for the suspension of Khumalo.
“I can confirm that she (Khumalo) has been suspended, but I can’t comment further than that because it is an employer-employee relationship.”
Ezemvelo Wildlife has been plagued by financial woes, which it has struggled to overcome for years.
In October last year, the standing committee on public accounts (Scopa) gave the entity an ultimatum of three months to get its finances in order.
Attempts to get a comment from Khumalo proved futile as her phone consistently rang to voicemail.
She also did not respond to text messages sent to her.
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Daily News