R1.5 million paid to dismissed Gauteng official
28 November 2016
The Democratic Alliance welcomes Premier David Makhura's dismissal of Ms Namhla Siqaza, the suspended head of the provincial Department of Arts, Sports, Culture and Recreation, but we are dismayed that she was paid R1.5 million because of slow disciplinary action.
Ms Siqaza was suspended with full pay in October last year following evidence that she attempted to bribe Auditor-General officials to cover up irregular expenditure, including a R246 million tender for an archives centre in Kagiso on the West Rand.
According to a written reply by Premier Makhura to my questions in the Gauteng Legislature, Ms Siqaza was earning R1.4 million a year.
Former Premier Nomvula Mokonyane approved this remuneration package which was set at notch 1 of level 16 instead of the normal level 15 pay for a head of department.