NATIONAL ASSEMBLY

WRITTEN REPLY
QUESTION 225

Question 225 for Written Reply: National Assembly, Mrs A Steyn (DA) to ask the Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries:

(1) Whether, with reference to the appointment of a certain person (Ms Rowena Joemat), her department has been informed of any family relations between her and the person when the appointment was made, if not, what is the position in this regard, if so,

(2) Whether any concerns have been raised in respect of this appointment; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so (a) who raised the specific concerns and (b) what steps have been taken to deal with these concerns;

(3) Whether the position had been advertised; if not, why not; if so (a) (i) when and (ii) in what media was the position advertised, (b) what procedures are in place to ensure that the best candidate for the position is appointed, (c) why was the position vacant for more than one year and (d) what are the details of the procedure that was followed in appointing the said person? NW246E

REPLY:

(1) No, Ms Joemat was appointed as Project Manager, on contract (additional to the post establishment), in the former Department of Agriculture on 25 March 2008 until 24 May 2009 (This was before the appointment of the Honourable Minister Tina Joemat-Pettersson). Another contract position of Project Management (additional to the post establishment) was advertised locally, (Reference number 218/2009), with a closing date of 19 June 2009 and Ms Joemat (the successful candidate) was appointed with effect from 13 July 2009.

Due to her specific knowledge in project management and her qualifications, (B. Sc, B. Sc Honours and M.Sc degrees), she was appointed to act in the vacant position of Director: Programme Development Support (on the fixed post establishment) until the post has been suitably filled. The position of Director: Programme Development Support was advertised in the Sunday Times on 7 August 2011 with a closing date of 22 August 2011. The process of filling the post is still in progress.

(2) No, Ms Joemat was appointed on a fixed-term contract, additional to the post establishment of the department. Due to her specific knowledge in project management she was appointed to act in the vacant position of Director: Programme Development Support (on the fixed post establishment) until such post has been suitably filled.

(a) and (b) Not applicable.

Current post ( fixed term contract position)

(3) Yes

(a) (i) During June 2009 with a closing date of 19 June 2009

(ii) Locally

(b) Appointments are dealt with in terms of Sections 9 and 11 of the Public Service Act, 1994 and Chapter 1, Part VII, section C of the Public Service Regulations, 2011.

(c) The position of Project Manager (contract position, additional to the post establishment of the department) was not vacant for more than one year. The position of Director: Programme Development Support has been vacant from 1 April 2011 which is less than one (1) year.

(d) The appointment of a person on contract (additional to the post establishment of the department) is  regulated in terms of the Public Service Regulations, 2001. The appointment of a person in an acting position of Director is regulated in terms of Section 32 of the Public Service Act, 1994 and the Departmental Policy on the Appointment of an Employee in an Acting Capacity.

Issued by Parliament, April 12 2012

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