SIU - Forensic investigators take on management as still no permanent Head
The SIU's woes continue as they are about to approach their 17th month without a permanent head, with the presidency seemingly as unconcerned as ever.
In the latest in the on-going staff unhappiness, the DA has learned that a group of forensic investigators have taken the SIU to the CCMA (reference number GATW 15258-12) as a result of the SIU's decision to pay a lump sum of R20 000.00 as well as a 5% increase in salary payable from 1 December last year to Junior Forensic Investigators, following an agreement with NEHAWU.
It is not clear to us what the basis for these payments is, but we believe that there are 139 staff members in this category, which will result in unbudgeted expenditure of R2.7 million in respect of the lump sum payments alone. These payments are seemingly in addition to the annual cost-of-living increases and performance bonuses.
The more senior forensic investigators are claiming that this is discriminatory, as they were not included in this arrangement. Attempts to settle the matter internally after a postponement of the CCMA hearing have not borne fruit.
It goes without saying that this will have the effect of demotivating the more experienced investigators, which the SIU can ill afford. It has already lost too many experienced staff over the last year. It may also amount to irregular expenditure.
We shall be posing more parliamentary questions relating to this issue, and will also draw the Auditor-General's attention to the expenditure.
It is completely unacceptable that the President who claims to be committed to rooting out corruption continues to allow an institution as vital as the SIU to languish in a state of leaderlessness. We believe that the work of the SIU is being seriously hampered by this inaction and it appears that the only solution is at the polls in next year's election.
Statement issued by Debbie Schafer MP, DA Shadow Deputy Minister of Justice and Constitutional Development, April 11 2013
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