PREMIER MOKONYANE ACTS ON ALLEGATIONS AGAINST ROADS & TRANSPORT HOD
As the Gauteng Provincial Government (GPG), we would like to state categorically that we view the allegations levelled against Roads and Transport Head of Department (HOD), Ms Benedicta Monama, in a very serious light.
The allegations arose from the findings contained in the Auditor-General's (AG) report commissioned by the MEC for Roads and Transport, Ismail Vadi.
Among others, the charges against the Roads and Transport HOD, included Monama's alleged disregard of advice from the provincial Treasury not to commit the department to extend certain contracts.
The findings identified systemic shortcomings in the department which allowed for Ms Monama to allegedly unilaterally enter into agreements with service providers without following due process as prescribed in the Public Finance Management Act.
We are aware that upon receipt of the report the relationship between the MEC and the HOD broke down, negatively impacting on the department's ability to carry out its responsibilities as per its Constitutional mandate.
We have since receiving the report undertook extensive consultations with relevant Members of the Executive Council (MECs) and senior counsel and considered legal opinion before us.
In the best interests of the department and in order to act swiftly against the alleged maladministration and address the identified systemic issues; we have taken the decision not to renew the employment contract of Ms Monama as Head of Department for the Department of Roads and Transport or retain her in the employ of the Gauteng Provincial Government.
We have thought through all options available and concluded that retaining Ms Monama within the GPG would not have been in the best interests of the people of Gauteng, who deserve quality service delivery and accountability at all times.
We believe major projects like the Pinehaven Interchange, the upgrade of William Nicol Drive and Sharpeville road, with a potential to create much-needed jobs for our communities, should not be unduly compromised. It is also important to note that no company had started doing work on the projects because no contracts were signed between the government and the service providers in question. As an immediate intervention all of these contracts are going to be the subject of engagements between the Gauteng Provincial Government - through the departments of Finance and Roads and Transport and the affected parties - in pursuit of a lasting solution.
In addition, we have taken seriously the issues raised by the Auditor-General and I have asked the Department of Roads and Transport to put proper systems in place and tighten issues of governance in the management of public funds, including contract management.
We have, therefore, decided that the Department of Finance's Head of Department, Stewart Lumka, will step in as the Acting Head of Department at the Department of Roads and Transport until a suitable replacement is appointed. It is critical to have leadership in the administration of the department to ensure stability.
We firmly believe this will guarantee that the work that is currently being undertaken by the department continues unhindered. The process of recruiting a new Head of Department will start in earnest in the next two weeks.
As I said in our State of the Province Address; "Corruption threatens to undermine the gains made in improving people's lives. We must tackle corruption wherever it manifests itself, without fear or favour. We must have the capacity to prevent, detect, investigate and prosecute cases of corruption in the public or private sector."
Statement issued by the Gauteng Provincial Government, August 4 2011
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