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Mpumalanga MEC for Finance, Economic Development and Tourism, Mr Sikhumbuzo Eric Kholwane has announced the appointment of Mr Sam Maluleka as the Acting Chief Executive Officer of the Mpumalanga Tourism and Parks Agency (MTPA). This follows the placement of the Agency’s CEO, Mr Jacques Modipane, on precautionary suspension by the MTPA’s Board owing to allegations of gross misconduct. Mr Maluleka is the Chief Director of Environmental Services at the Department of Agriculture, Rural Development, Land and Environmental Affairs. His appointment was done in terms of section 13(7) of the Mpumalanga Tourism and Parks Agency Act, 2005 (Act no. 05 of 2005).

The Act provides that “Whenever the office of Chief Executive Officer is vacant or the Chief Executive Officer is absent or incapacitated or refuses or fails to act, the powers, rights and functions of the Chief Executive Officer shall be exercised and performed by any person designated as the acting Chief Executive Officer by the Member of the Executive Council: Provided that no such person shall be the acting Chief Executive Officer for a period exceeding six months”

Mr Maluleka’s acting appointment is with effect from 01 February 2015 and shall terminate as soon as the inquiry into the current CEO’s conduct is concluded, and/or for a period not exceeding six months, whichever comes first.

MEC Kholwane has wished Mr Maluleka well in his new assignment, and indicated that he has full confidence in him to steer the MTPA forward in the interim, given his vast experience in the public sector.

Issued by the Department of Economic Development and Tourism