By JN Reporter

Road Traffic Management Corporation (RTMC) CEO, Advocate Makhosini Msibi has been placed on precautionary suspension by the board of directors amid whistleblower allegations of financial misconduct, irregular expenditure, and governance failures.

Spokesperson for the Department of Transport Collen Msibi, in a statement released on Friday, confirmed Msibi’s suspension, saying that Refilwe Mongale has been appointed as interim CEO to ensure continuity.

According to the spokesperson, Msibi's precautionary suspension came into effect on 01 July 2025 after a board meeting held on June 13, and he was informed of the decision.

“The board had indicated it took this decision after whistle-blowing allegations of financial misconduct, irregular expenditure, and governance failures at the entity and that based on the seriousness of the allegations, the board has taken a decision to institute a forensic investigation into these allegations,” said Msibi.

He said the former Chairperson of the Free State Provincial Heritage Resources Authority (FSPHRA) will be on precautionary suspension for a period of 30 days, extendable to 60 days or any further period as may be reasonably necessary.

Msibi – who is the husband of the mayor of Thabo Mofutsanyana District Municipality, Conney Msibi – was previously accused of improperly increasing his package around 2016/17, which was reported to reach nearly R8 million, including a R3 million bonus.

In October 2019, the National Trade Union Congress (NTUC) called for his resignation following a scathing report from the Public Protector. The report found irregularities in the hiring of Julia Manamela as an administration assistant in November 2014.

Allegations of a prior relationship between Msibi and Manamela were dismissed by Msibi.