Key Takeaways
- Nolufefe Ali, executive for corporate services at Dube TradePort Corporation (KwaZulu‑Natal), held a simultaneous full‑time position at the Eastern Cape Parks & Tourism Agency (ECPTA) for 18 months, constituting “double‑dipping.”
- Public financial records show she received R4.2 million from Dube TradePort in 2024‑25 while earning at least R1.3 million per year at ECPTA.
- The dual employment came to light only after an external tip‑off in May 2025; internal controls failed to detect the conflict.
- Ali resigned immediately after being confronted; Dube TradePort laid a police charge and is seeking recovery of the funds paid to her.
- Holding two state positions violates the Public Service Act and can lead to criminal prosecution, dismissal, and restitution.
- ECPTA, already under severe financial strain, refused to comment on the matter, citing employee confidentiality, while Dube TradePort emphasized its zero‑tolerance policy on undisclosed conflicts of interest.
- The incident highlights broader governance weaknesses in South African state‑owned entities, especially regarding remote‑work monitoring and interest‑declaration compliance.
Background on Dube TradePort Corporation
Dube TradePort Corporation is a KwaZulu‑Natal‑based state‑owned enterprise that manages the logistics hub adjoining King Shaka International Airport. Established by the provincial government, the special economic zone combines airport operations, air cargo facilities, light manufacturing, commercial real‑estate, and high‑tech agriculture to stimulate international trade and investment. The corporation employs a remote‑work policy that permits certain staff to perform duties off‑site, provided that such arrangements are transparently disclosed and monitored. In 2021, Nolufefe Ali was appointed as the executive for corporate services, a senior role overseeing human resources, governance, and administrative functions.
The Dual Employment Revelation
In May 2025, an external tip‑off alerted Dube TradePort’s leadership to the possibility that Ali was simultaneously employed elsewhere. Subsequent enquiries revealed that Ali had signed a five‑year fixed‑term contract with the Eastern Cape Parks & Tourism Agency (ECPTA) in September 2024, serving as its executive director for corporate services. Although Ali was based in KuGompo City (formerly East London) and reported to ECPTA’s offices near the city’s central business district, she continued to draw a salary from Dube TradePort under the pretense of remote work. No internal mechanism existed to verify her actual location or to cross‑check her external employment, allowing the arrangement to persist for approximately 18 months.
Financial Implications and Compensation Details
Publicly available annual financial statements indicate that Ali earned R4.2 million from Dube TradePort for the combined 2024‑25 fiscal years. At ECPTA, her remuneration is reported to be at least R1.3 million per annum, meaning her total annual income from the two state positions exceeded R5.5 million. This substantial double compensation represents a direct loss of public funds, as both salaries are sourced from taxpayer‑financed budgets. The undisclosed nature of the second job also breaches the declaration‑of‑interest requirements mandated by the Public Service Act and internal governance frameworks of both entities.
Organisational Response and Accountability Measures
Following the tip‑off, Dube TradePort’s communications and public‑relations manager, Vincent Zwane, stated that the organisation engaged Ali to clarify her relationship with ECPTA. After receiving her explanation, Ali submitted her resignation, which was accepted with immediate effect. Dube TradePort then filed a criminal complaint with the South African Police Service and initiated procedures to recover the remuneration paid to her during the period of dual employment. Zwane reiterated the corporation’s zero‑tolerance stance on undisclosed conflicts of interest, dual public‑sector employment, and any misconduct that undermines institutional integrity, noting that further updates would be communicated as necessary. To maintain operational continuity, the corporation appointed Xolile Shabalala as acting executive for corporate services pending a permanent replacement.
ECPTA’s Stance and Institutional Challenges
In stark contrast to Dube TradePort’s transparency, the Eastern Cape Parks & Tourism Agency declined to comment on the matter, citing obligations to protect employee confidentiality and personal information. Acting CEO Motsehoa Mahlatsi affirmed that ECPTA maintains policies governing employment, interest declarations, leave management, and remunerative work outside the organisation, but refused to disclose Ali’s specific remuneration, leave, or attendance records. The agency did not confirm whether Ali had ever declared her external work or whether ECPTA had been aware of the anomaly prior to the media enquiry. ECPTA is presently grappling with a severe fiscal crisis: provincial budget cuts have reduced its projected allocation from R436 million in 2023/24 to R210 million by 2026/27, with over R204 million of the current budget earmarked for salaries, leaving minimal funds for core operational activities such as infrastructure maintenance and anti‑poaching efforts.
Broader Governance and Control Weaknesses
The case exposes significant shortcomings in the governance, oversight, and internal‑control systems of South African state‑owned entities. Although Ali had permission to work remotely for Dube TradePort, no tracking or verification process existed to ensure that her remote arrangement did not facilitate undisclosed concurrent employment. The reliance on self‑declaration and periodic interest‑disclosure forms proved insufficient, as Ali’s dual role remained hidden until an external whistle‑blower intervened. This incident mirrors earlier cases of public‑service fraud, such as the 2022 dismissal of senior director Gabonewe Madikela from the Department of Water Affairs & Sanitation for misleading a municipality about her leave status and defrauding it of R778,557. Collectively, these examples underscore the need for robust, real‑time monitoring of staff activities, stricter enforcement of declaration policies, and enhanced inter‑entity communication to prevent conflicts of interest.
Conclusion and Implications for Public Sector Integrity
The resignation of Nolufefe Ali from Dube TradePort Corporation, precipitated by the discovery of her undisclosed dual employment with ECPTA, serves as a stark reminder of the vulnerabilities inherent in public‑sector governance when oversight mechanisms lag behind evolving work arrangements such as remote employment. While Dube TradePort’s swift acceptance of resignation, police involvement, and commitment to fund recovery demonstrate a reactive commitment to accountability, the episode also highlights the necessity for proactive controls—including automated attendance verification, mandatory conflict‑of‑interest disclosures, and cross‑agency data sharing—to deter future infractions. As ECPTA continues to navigate its financial distress, ensuring transparent and ethical conduct will be critical not only to preserve public trust but also to safeguard the limited resources essential for delivering its mandated services. The episode should catalyse a comprehensive review of employment policies across all state‑owned entities, reinforcing the principle that public office demands undivided loyalty and full transparency.