Response to Sunday Times allegations of infighting and resignation

The Presidency has noted the report in today's Sunday Times (28 February 2010) referring to alleged infighting and the supposed resignation of the Chief Operations Officer, Ms Jessie Duarte (see here).

Firstly, we wish to confirm that Ms Duarte has not resigned. She is still Chief Operations Officer in the Presidency and will be Acting Director-General this week in the absence of Mr Vusi Mavimbela who is going to the United Kingdom as part of the President's delegation.

Secondly, Ms Duarte and the Head of the Private Office, Ms Lakela Kaunda vehemently reject the reports of conflict or tension between the two of them. They work well together and support each other positively and constructively. Any reports to the contrary are complete fabrications.

Thirdly, the claim in the Sunday Times that the President's advisers are blocked from seeing their Principal is false and misleading.

The Presidency wishes to caution the media against false and unverified information about the institution.

Statement issued by Vusi Mona, The Presidency, February 28 2010

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