South Africa - Post Office CEO agrees to leave

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THE South African Post Office and its CEO, Motswanesi Lefoka, have reached a "mutually agreed separation", it said on Wednesday.

"The terms of this agreement are confidential," the Post Office said in a statement.

Nick Buick would stay on as acting group CEO and recruitment would commence for a new head, the statement said.

Ms Lefoka appeared before a disciplinary hearing related to a probe into the lease of new offices involving irregular and wasteful expenditure of nearly R450m.

Communications Minister Dina Pule said yesterday a disciplinary hearing had been held on Monday and that she was waiting for a briefing from the chairwoman of the Post Office board, Vuyo Mahlati. Ms Pule could not answer any further questions on the matter.

Post Office chief operating officer John Wentzel, who was also acting MD of Postbank, and head of strategy Marietjie Lancaster were also named in the probe. Mr Wentzel has since resigned.

According to media reports, Ms Mahlati confirmed in August last year that a 16-month investigation had revealed irregular expenditure of R425m and fruitless expenditure of R19m relating to a lease for Eco Park, in Centurion.

Lungile Lose, group executive for corporate affairs, could not confirm or deny that the disciplinary hearing took place. "This is the first that I am hearing about it. I know nothing about it," Mr Lose said.

Communication Workers Union spokesman Matankana Mothapo said the union was not aware of any progress in the case.