Cape Town — Three Statistics SA (Stats SA) managers have been suspended pending a disciplinary hearing because of their alleged failure to follow proper procedure when making allegations of bribery and corruption against their boss, statistician general Pali Lehohla.

Stats SA produces economic statistics, such as the monthly consumer and producer price inflation data . The smooth internal functioning of the body is critical for good governance of the country, but it has become destabilised by power struggles.

The disciplinary hearing kicks off next Monday ahead of the submission to Finance Minister Trevor Manuel of a report on the investigation into the allegations conducted by the Public Service Commission (PSC).

The council of Stats SA is expected to issue a press statement today after a council meeting.

Those charged with insubordination in terms of the public service code are operations executive manager Laki Ngwenya, health statistics manager Precious Modiba and quality and methodology manager Zolile Njovani.

Legal advice sought by Stats SA suggested that their actions in reporting their allegations was not covered by laws protecting whistleblowers , as they did not follow stipulated procedure.

It is speculated the PSC report, due to be finalised soon, will clear Lehohla of personal misconduct, but once again highlight problems of grave mismanagement within the body , including failure to follow proper procurement procedures.

Lehohla was accused of bribery and corruption by top officials in a letter sent to Manuel in November. The contents of the memorandum duplicated that sent earlier in the year by deputy director general in charge of demography, Gugu Gule, who has had longstanding concerns over alleged irregularities.

Lehohla and his wife were said to own at least five houses in Pretoria valued at more than R3,4m, which critics allege may have been acquired with proceeds of kickbacks for the award of more than R100m in Stats SA contracts.