Refilwe Tsipane suspends Kebone Masange

He is suspended with full pay so as to give him a chance to clear himself of the allegations.

Premier Refilwe Mtshweni-Tsipane has announced that her government has placed human settlement HOD Kebone Masange on “special leave” so that he can be able to deal with the charges he is faced with.

Tsipane said her decision to send Masange home is to allow him time and space.

The department’s chief director for integrated settlements Doctor Nkosi has now been appointed as acting head of department – in Masange’s place, said Tsipane. 

Masange was also the acting head of department for public works roads and transport where deputy director general for public infrastructure Charle Morolo has now been appointed as acting head.

The decision is informed by the responsibility to grant Mr Masange sufficient space and time to attend to the recent developments pertaining to Mr. Masange’s alleged contravention of immigration laws,” said Tsipane in a statement.

Hawks spokesman Brigadier Hangwani Mulaudzi said the 51-year-old Masange is faced with charges of fraud in Tshwane.

He was arrested on 1 September 2020 for allegedly being in possession of many identity documents.

Masange, who previously worked for the municipality of Newcastle KZN as town manager, started applying for his documents in 1995.

At the time he allegedly lied to authorities three times – first when he told them that he was born in Johannesburg (Gauteng), then in Pietermaritzburg (KwaZulu-Natal) and again in Brits (North West).

He was born in Zimbabwe.

(edited by ZK)

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