By: Sello Theletsane
The Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO) has fired its Chief Financial Officer following a failed purchase of a R118m land in New York.
DIRCO spokesperson Clayson Monyela said Caiphus Ramashau was fired following a disciplinary hearing.
“Mr Ramashau faced charges related to irregular expenditure incurred by the department on an unsuccessful project to purchase a piece of land in New York (USA) to accommodate South Africa’s Permanent Mission to the United Nations and New York Consulate,” he said.
His sacking follows that of former Director-General Kgabo Mahoai, who was fired last month. The pair was charged with gross negligence and irregular and wasteful expenditure for the 2016 deal for land that allegedly did not exist.
In October last year, it was determined that the land meant to house South Africa’s diplomats did not exist. Members of Parliament carried out a fact-finding mission to New York in 2019 to inspect the land.
