DTI DG must explain Consumer Commissioner sacking to Parliament

I will today be writing to the Chairperson of the Portfolio Committee on Trade and Industry to request that she calls the Minister and the Director-General (DG) of the Department of Trade and Industry before the committee to explain the circumstances around the battle that has erupted between the Department and the National Consumer Commissioner. 

The National Consumer Commissioner, Mamoduphi Mohlala, has alleged that she was first made aware of her firing when she saw an advert for her own job in the Sunday newspapers last week. But the Department denies this, and it would seem that the battle between the Commissioner and the DG has been escalating for some time. 

The cancellation of Adv. Mohlala's contract follows her lodging a complaint with the Public Protector against the DG, Mr Lionel October. This confrontation must be brought to an end urgently. The only losers in a war between the Department and the Commissioner are ordinary consumers, who have until now benefited greatly from Adv. Mohlala's term of office. 

The Democratic Alliance believes that Mr October must explain in detail to the Committee the circumstances which gave rise to this unsavoury and unproductive public confrontation. He must also explain:

• Why the National Consumer Commissioner is being removed from office?
• Why the Portfolio Committee on Trade and Industry was never briefed on this matter?
• Why the National Consumer Commissioner was not properly informed of the decision to remove her?
• Whether any breaches of labour legislation have in fact occurred in this process?

I hope the DG will be able to appear before the Committee urgently, perhaps even at the portfolio committee meeting scheduled for Wednesday of this week. 

Statement issued by Geordin Hill-Lewis, DA Shadow Deputy Minister of Trade & Industry, May 14 2012

Click here to sign up to receive our free daily headline email newsletter