The KwaZulu-Natal Economic Development, Tourism and Environmental Affairs (EDTEA) charged and fired its deputy director-general, Sibusiso Myeza, after slapping him with eight charges, alleging that he manipulated invoices and bid documents.

The matter - which the department refuses to discuss because it says it is internal - has dragged on for three years. It was last discussed in the General Public Sector Bargaining Council on 17 October, according to a notice to arbitration, seen by News24. 

The department recently fired Myeza, who has taken the matter to the bargaining council. 

The eight charges are that: 

• He contravened clause 1 of annexure A of chapter 7 of the SMS handbook relating to misconduct and incapacity by failing to comply with the Public Service regulations;
• He failed to promote sound and accountable administration in terms of the Public Service's regulations, the Public Finance Management Act and Treasury regulations, by authorising payments without relevant invoices and voucher reports;
• He breached a funding agreement between Economic Development, Tourism, and Environmental Affairs (EDTEA) and a third party;
• He "modified" minutes of a meeting;
• He authorised an invoice when a service-level agreement between the department and a supplier had already expired;
• He contravened ethical standards and a National Treasury-required practice note;
• He flouted supply chain management processes; and
• He modified and/or amended proposals from service providers to EDTEA in contravention of the Public Services regulations and the Public Finance Management Act. 

Several well-placed sources said charges rained down on Myeza after he clashed with a politician.

Myeza's LinkedIn still lists him as the department's deputy director-general, and so does his profile on the department's website. 

EDTA spokesperson, Ndabezinhle Sibiya, said: "It's an internal matter that dates back to more than three years ago [November 2021]. And we have no comment to make at this stage."

Several calls and WhatsApp messages to Myeza's two numbers went unanswered.