<\/p>\n
Richards Bay \u2013 The Interim CEO of Umhlathuze Water in Richards Bay, Dr Simo Lushaba, a specialist in turning around struggling companies, has resigned.<\/p>\n
understands that in his resignation letter which was sent to the board led by Thabi Shange, Lushaba cited safety concerns and asked to be allowed to leave his position immediately.<\/p>\n
However, the panicking board asked him to serve his notice so that it could have time to appoint his successor.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe incident by the business forum left him shaken and he feared for his life, hence he decided to resign a few days after it happened.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe board is refusing to let him go with immediate effect, it wants him to serve his notice so that there is proper transition and stability,\u201d a deep-throat source told .<\/p>\n
Lushaba\u2019s departure comes after early this month a business forum stormed their offices in central Richards Bay and held staff hostage for about five hours.<\/p>\n
This was over a R36 million security tender to guard critical water pumps around the City of Umhlathuze (Richards Bay-Empangeni).<\/p>\n
The King Cetshwayo Business Forum is fighting the entity’s decision to unilaterally cancel a R36m security tender and re-advertise it.<\/p>\n
The forum gave the troubled water board an ultimatum to review its decision or else it would face its wrath.<\/p>\n
Among their demands during a rowdy meeting during the hostage situation was that the security company brought from the Richards Bay Industrial Development Zone to do the work should be removed.<\/p>\n
The police had to be called to restore order and water board later opened a case with the SAPS.<\/p>\n
The water board confirmed the resignation of the CEO who came to office in September 2022, but refuted (that the incident sparked his sudden departure).<\/p>\n
\u201cMhlathuze Water can indeed confirm that the board has received the resignation of the interim chief executive, Dr Simo Lushaba.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt must be borne in mind that upon his appointment last year, we did indicate that this was on an interim basis and his term would expire in February 2023.<\/p>\n
\u201cIndeed when it expired, it was extended by a further two months.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe therefore refute as baseless allegations seeking to link Dr Lushaba\u2019s resignation with the actions of the business forum,\u201d the water board said in a statement to on Tuesday.<\/p>\n
sihle.mavuso@inl.co.za<\/p>\n
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