Share

Ntola defends R10 000 monthly allowance

Johannesburg - Expelled SA Democratic Teachers' Union president Thobile Ntola has vowed to appeal against his expulsion.

"I was maliciously targeted by the national executive committee, I am innocent," he said on Wednesday.

The trade union's deputy secretary Nkosana Dolopi told reporters in Johannesburg that Ntola was expelled for his inappropriate relationship with Sadtu service providers.

He said Ntola abused his position and used it for personal gain. Ntola was expelled by the union on Monday.

Among the alleged irregularities discovered against Ntola was that one of the union's service providers was paying Ntola a R10 000 monthly allowance. The service provider disclosed this to the union, he said.

"That amount can be at least R300 000 if we calculate from when Ntola became president in 2010."

Ntola allegedly had private dealings with other service providers, including an insurance company that had allowed Ntola and his family to live in its R3.5m property since 2011.

"Ntola blackmailed this service provider to provide him with a house, failing which its contract of doing business with Sadtu would be cancelled," Dolopi said.

Ntola said he had not personally benefited from any service provider.

Regarding the R10 000 monthly allowance, Ntola said a director of one of the service provider companies he called, Mr Malombo, had helped him with money a few times whenever he had an emergency.

"Mr Malombo and I had a brotherly relationship and would assist each other whenever there was a need. Malombo also assisted the union from time to time," he said.

The R3.5m house he lived in with his family was owned by Malombo, he said.

"He asked me to look after his property, I pay the rates and services for the property, it's in his name... it's not my house."

He said he would appeal against his expulsion.

"It is not nice to be in this position... I am innocent and was targeted as a result of tension within the labour federation [Cosatu]."

Dolopi said Ntola's expulsion had nothing to do with him allowing Congress of SA Trade Unions general secretary Zwelinzima Vavi to address a Sadtu conference in the Eastern Cape last year.

At the time, Vavi was suspended from Cosatu. Ntola is a staunch Vavi supporter.

Vavi's suspension was lifted by the High Court in Johannesburg earlier this year and he returned to his post.

Ntola said Vavi was a good leader.

"He is a good leader who is concerned about nothing but the working class."

When asked what his future plans were, Ntola said he would remain within the workers' movement.

"It is still early days to share what the future holds, but I know I will remain within the working class, wherever and whenever that might be."


We live in a world where facts and fiction get blurred
Who we choose to trust can have a profound impact on our lives. Join thousands of devoted South Africans who look to News24 to bring them news they can trust every day. As we celebrate 25 years, become a News24 subscriber as we strive to keep you informed, inspired and empowered.
Join News24 today
heading
description
username
Show Comments ()
Rand - Dollar
18.88
+0.3%
Rand - Pound
23.86
+0.2%
Rand - Euro
20.39
+0.2%
Rand - Aus dollar
12.33
+0.1%
Rand - Yen
0.12
+0.2%
Platinum
908.05
0.0%
Palladium
1,014.94
0.0%
Gold
2,232.75
-0.0%
Silver
24.95
-0.1%
Brent Crude
87.00
+1.8%
Top 40
68,346
0.0%
All Share
74,536
0.0%
Resource 10
57,251
0.0%
Industrial 25
103,936
0.0%
Financial 15
16,502
0.0%
All JSE data delayed by at least 15 minutes Iress logo
Company Snapshot
Editorial feedback and complaints

Contact the public editor with feedback for our journalists, complaints, queries or suggestions about articles on News24.

LEARN MORE
Government tenders

Find public sector tender opportunities in South Africa here.

Government tenders
This portal provides access to information on all tenders made by all public sector organisations in all spheres of government.
Browse tenders