JRA suspends CEO amid ongoing qualification dispute

The CEO was placed on special leave in November last year after his qualifications came into question.

Mahanuke hit the headlines after the Daily Maverick published an explosive article about his lack of tertiary qualifications.

In an article, the publication stated that Mahanuke claimed to have a master’s degree in “Competitive Intelligence” from ACI College, Harvard Business School that seemingly doesn't exist.

Mahanuke also an honorary doctorate from the Trinity International University of Ambassadors but it was found that the doctorate can allegedly be bought for a small “support honorarium”.

But the city's Transport MMC Funzi Ngobeni defended him, saying his Honorary Degrees had carried no weight in the decision to appoint him as CEO of JRA.

The city confirmed that Mahanuke was appointed based on the qualifications he obtained; a National Diploma in Mechanical Engineering and BTech in Operations Management.

However, the minimum requirements for the post were Bachelor's degree in Operational Management or business or engineering or relevant NQF Level 7 equivalent.

The board chairperson later launched an independent investigation, which found that he has a case to answer.

Motloung says the preliminary report was presented to the board at a special meeting in December last year.

"At this stage, the board is not at liberty to reveal the preliminary findings as this matter has now been handed over to a firm of attorneys to handle. The legal counsel has committed to stringent timelines which will ensure speedy finalisation of this matter.”

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