Newly appointed Gauteng DSD HOD not fit for the job due to damning findings
5 July 2023
The Democratic Alliance (DA) in Gauteng is appalled by the appointment of Matilda Gasela as the new Head of Department (HOD) for the Gauteng Department of Social Development (DSD), despite damning findings in her previous job.
We believe this is not a well-thought-out decision and it will negatively affect the department instead of fixing the several issues faced by DSD.
Gasela is the former Head of Department for the Gauteng Department of Agriculture, Rural Development, and Environment (GDARD), where she was implicated in financial mismanagement.
Despite the Special Investigative Unit’s (SIU) recommendations that she be criminally prosecuted, Premier Panyaza Lesufi and the Gauteng MEC for Social Development, Mbali Hlophe, promoted her to head a significant department.
The DA is disappointed that the Premier and MEC promoted a person with such damning findings against her.Gasela’s appointment exposes how the current government is not serious about fighting corruption; instead, they are shielding their corrupt cadres at the expense of service delivery.
DSD needs ethical leaders who will stabilise and advise the Premier and MEC on the acts governing the NPO sectors and the department in terms of looking after the most vulnerable members of the province.
The department is struggling to disentangle itself from the mess it created with the funding of NPOs after reprioritising funds. A compromised and financially incompetent Gasela will not assist the department in fixing this mess.
The DA demands that the Premier and MEC reconsider this appointment and appoint an individual who has a clean record and is not subject to a possible criminal investigation. We will also be tabling questions to the Premier to determine why other candidates were not considered for this crucial position.
Furthermore, we will demand an explanation from the Premier of why Gasela has not been fired, blacklisted, or prosecuted.
Issued by Refiloe Nt’sekhe, DA Gauteng Shadow MEC for Social Development, 5 July 2023
