Axed Pikitup boss trashes union claims

Former Pikitup managing director, Amanda Nair

Former Pikitup managing director, Amanda Nair

Published Sep 10, 2016

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Johannesburg - Axed Pikitup managing director Amanda Nair insists she did her job properly, delivering clean audits and improving the financial position of the municipal waste collection organisation.

Speaking on Friday after the Pikitup board announced her dismissal, Nair claimed she was demonised and targeted.

Pikitup’s board said it was in the best interest of the company, its shareholders, employees and the residents of the City of Joburg to end its relationship with Nair.

The board said that following allegations made by South African Municipal Workers’ Union (Samwu) against the beleaguered MD, an independent forensic investigation was completed in June this year, which led to their decision.

At the beginning of July, Nair was placed on extended special leave pending the investigations against her. Her special leave started one month before the municipal elections and the subsequent changing of the guard in the city.

Samwu general secretary Simon Mathe said: “We welcome the verdict by the board. It's a clear demonstration that when we as Samwu make allegations we ensure we have proof to back up what we say.”

Samwu has also opened a criminal case against Nair who, along with allegations of corruption and nepotism hanging over her head, is under investigation by the public protector.

Nair will also be liable to pay back money relating to some of the contracts she authorised.

Member of the mayoral committee for environment and infrastructure services, councillor Anthony Still, said under Nair there was instability at Pikitup.

But Nair said she had been “painted in a bad light” and was not given an opportunity to state her case and had no support.

“I worked hard and cracked the whip on inefficiency, but when the rubbish hit the ground, I was left all alone. The unions hijacked us.”

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Saturday Star

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