CAPE TOWN - Aggrieved Metrorail employees have lifted the lid on how a senior Prasa board member allegedly meddled in the appointment of Metrorial’s Western Cape regional human resources senior manager Mark Horne, who they claim did not meet the minimum requirements including being in possession of a matric certificate.
Metrorail spokesperson Nana Zenani could not produce any of Horne’s qualifications when requested to do so, including the “advice results” under the matric category, in a list of requirements for the job.
“Mr Mark Horne was appointed following the necessary policies. Human resources would not contravene their own protocols in this regard,” she said.
Under Horne’s name, it’s stated “no” under the “relevant B-Degree in human resources”, but he does have five years’ experience in the HR environment and three years’ management experience.
While attempts to get Horne’s comment were unsuccessful, Zenani would also not answer questions about the alleged involvement of the senior Prasa board member or what stood out about Horne from the list of candidates who had all the required qualifications and experience.
She did take issue with this publication trying to contact Horne, saying the company had responded and there was no need to call him.
Horne, 57, was among 16 people who applied and one of four candidates who were shortlisted, according to a source who spoke on condition of anonymity for fear of victimisation.
The source alleged that a senior Prasa board member was directly involved in recommending Horne be appointed.
“Before this appointment his (Horne’s) job title was the benefits and payroll manager, but he also acted as the HR regional senior manager. Our complaint is that how can someone who does not have the required qualification, that’s if he even has any degree, go as far as being shortlisted.
“Previously, the company policy accepted that even if someone does not have these requirements, if they acted in the position, they stand a chance to be appointed. However the policy has changed, it requires qualifications for both filling a position, being shortlisted and acting in a position.”
A 2020 recruitment and selection policy statement seen by the Cape Times, states under “integrity assessment” or vetting that qualifications and experience in line with the job advert are checked.
“If policies are not followed at the top, it means anyone can be hired in any position, especially top positions without the relevant qualifications. If the entity is preaching about turning things around and following policies, it’s important for the company to be practical unless it’s just for publicity. This also raises questions about how many others are appointed without their qualifications,” said the source.
Another source called for the company to be transparent about Horne’s appointment by providing proof of his qualifications.
Satawu’s passenger rail and transport infrastructure national sector coordinator, Lubabalo Tinzi, said the union would call on Transport Minister Fikile Mbalula in his capacity as the shareholder to investigate the allegations.
“The allegations have the potential to compromise Prasa’s turnaround strategy when it comes to putting systems in place in the business, since it is “public knowledge that they have long collapsed”.
However, he said Prasa has not acted outside its recruitment policy by allowing Horne to participate in the interviews, as he has acted in the position for a duration of time.
“Satawu was not part of the interview panel and as a result is not privy to the scores that were granted to the candidates. On the same note, Mr Mark Horne acted in the position before, and after the so-called new policy was introduced which in our view doesn't disqualify him to be a candidate.
“Satawu is at pains to prove at the moment that there was favouritism when Mr Mark Horne was not placed directly in the post; he has met some of the requirements and there are no objections filed by the panel that conducted the interview,” he said.
Cape Times