Water Affairs DG: R3 million for 2 year sabbatical 

10 February 2014 

The DA has written to the Minister of Water and Sanitation, Nomvula Mokonyane, calling on her to provide comprehensive reasons to parliament for the two year suspension with full pay of the former Director General (DG), Maxell Sirenya.

In the face of a looming water crisis in the country, it is outrageous to pay out R3 million to a stay-at-home official as the Department continues to suffer without a permanent DG. We must have strong leadership at the helm of this Department in this time of crisis. 

Sirenya was suspended in 2013 following a spat with former Minister of Water Affairs, Edna Molewa, merely one year into his contract. Sirenya refused to sign off on a R419 million IT tender, which Minister Molewa requested. He was subsequently suspended.

Suspended state employees should undergo a disciplinary hearing "within a month or 60 days, depending on the complexity of the matter and length of the investigation." This is contained in section 7.2 (a) of Resolution 1 of 2003: Disciplinary Code and Procedures for the Public Service (It is also incorporated in the Senior Management Service Handbook). 

Section 195 of the Constitution sets out the basic values and principles governing public administration which include the promotion and maintenance of a "high standard of professional ethics" and the promotion of "efficient, economic and effective use of resources". 

Taxpayers' money is covering Sirenya's salary package of R3 million for his two years of no work and stay-at-home leisure. 

Minister Mokonyane must account for the finalisation of the Sirenya matter without delay and announce when she will appoint a permanent DG. 

Statement issued by Nosimo Balindlela MP, DA Shadow Minister of Water Affairs and Sanitation, February 10 2015

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