He was suspended last year in March after penning an open letter to Mkhwebane calling for her resignation. 

Samuel said Mkhwebane is unfit to hold office and has only brought the chapter 9 institution into disrepute.

Samuel, in an exclusive interview, further tells OFM News he has been served with a dismissal letter following a disciplinary hearing that took place in his absence late last year.

“The hearing first proceeded in October where I was present with my legal representative and the matter was then postponed to November the 23rd. A few days before then, I informed the Chairperson, HR and legal representative that I have been in contact with a relative that tested positive for Covid-19 and that I have been advised by my doctor to quarantine for 10 to 14 days.”

Samuel says he had contacted his legal representative to seek a postponement, but the chairperson of the disciplinary hearing refused the request. The hearing proceeded without him or his representative as he asked to be excused after seeking a postponement.

“The hearing then proceeded in my absence and that is what culminated in me being found guilty, without presenting my side of the evidence or even cross-examining any of the witnesses of the employer.”

Samuel confirms he will challenge his dismissal.

OFM News