SA National Blood Service (SANBS) CEO Ravi Reddy has been found guilty of negligence by allowing the body’s digitalised annual report to display his CV stating he holds an MBA –despite the copy of his CV held by the board since his appointment in 2017 clearly indicating his MBA was incomplete.
The SANBS board launched an inquiry last May into allegations that Reddy had not only falsified his MBA qualification but had committed nepotism, reports City Press. Last week, the blood service organisation confirmed its finding that Reddy had failed to disclose his family connection to an employee – but would neither confirm nor deny that his only sanction was a written warning.
A whistle-blower had apparently lodged a complaint against Reddy to SANBS chairperson Ansie Ramalho in February last year, and in March, City Press received a tip-off that the board had failed to take action regarding the whistle-blower’s submission – which the board denied at the time.
At the same time, City Press also learnt Reddy had claimed in the SANBS 2021 digital integrated annual report to have completed his MBA, which the whistle-blower called “a dishonest, unethical declaration”.
Reddy was appointed to the post in January 2021, following the resignation of Dr Jonathan Louw in October 2020.
In the annual report, Reddy’s declaration clearly shows, under his name, that he had obtained an MBA from the University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN) in 2006. His other qualifications included a medical technology national diploma from ML Sultan Technikon in 1998, a BTech in biomedical technology from the same technikon in 1994 and a postgraduate diploma in business management (MBA level 1) from UKZN.
Last year, the university declined to divulge Reddy’s personal information, saying it could only consider requests for information after a Promotion of Access to Information Act application.
However, SANBS spokesperson Thandi Mosupye said the investigation into allegations against Reddy had been followed by a disciplinary hearing chaired by an independent senior counsel of the Johannesburg Society of Advocates, which found no dishonesty or unethical conduct.
“Reddy was negligent about disclosure of his qualifications and his family relationship to an employee. The senior counsel was an independent person, who noted that Reddy’s CV, in the possession of the board since at least 2017, correctly stated that his MBA was incomplete. Reddy’s appointment in January 2021 wasn’t premised on his having an MBA qualification.
“The finding of negligence relates to his oversight in not ensuring his qualifications were accurately reflected in the public domain, including the SANBS annual report, which stated he had an MBA qualification.”
Mosupye said the recommended sanctions, which she did not disclose, had been implemented by the board and executed by its HR department.
Allegations to City Press are that the board, rather than the HR department, had led the disciplinary process, which would be deemed irregular and unprocedural: the HR department is supposed to establish a disciplinary hearing by appointing the chairperson and initiator, identifying the venue of the hearing and attending it to take notes and ensure due process is followed.
CFO saga
In another matter, SANBS apparently appointed Rianda Kruger to act as its chief financial officer and later made her a consultant, a move questioned by an insider, who said such a position did not appear in the organisational structure.
Mosupye said the former chief financial officer Tshepi Maesela had left in October 2021.
“Given the many challenges in that department, the CEO told the board it was critical to appoint an acting/interim chief financial officer while the SANBS began the process of appointing a permanent one.
“The CFO, working with the HR executive, requested the CVs of suitably qualified individuals who would be available immediately. Kruger was approached to see if she were available to serve as acting CFO,” said Mosupye.
Kruger had accepted the offer and assumed her duties in late October 2021. She had previously worked in similar roles for the Gauteng government, including in the Gauteng Infrastructure Financing Agency.
Mosupye said a permanent chief financial officer, Tshepo Kgage, had been appointed in August 2022.
“Based on the critical strategic projects that still needed to be completed in the finance and procurement departments and key positions that still needed to be filled, the CEO, the chief financial officer and the HR executive proposed that Kruger be retained for a further six months as a consultant to lead the completion of those projects. This was approved by the executive committee,” said Mosupye.
City Press article – SANBS CEO found guilty of negligence over MBA qualification (Open access)
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