Media Statement on the initiation of an independent Public Service Inquiry into the affairs of the Department of Telecommunications and Postal Services

3 August 2015

The Minister of Telecommunications and Postal Services today concurred with the Public Service Commission on the initiation of an independent inquiry into the management affairs of the Department.

In May 2015, during the Budget Vote speech, the Minister had indicated that he was attending to the ongoing leadership challenges which are negatively impacting the Department’s ability to execute its functions timeously.

The Minister had received concerns from individuals and managers of the department about the paralysis within the department. The Minister approached the Public Service Commission for assistance regarding the role played by senior management, including the Director General, in the dysfunction of the department.

The Public Service Commissioned reviewed the concerns and determined that the seriousness thereof warrants an independent inquiry.

The Minister has concurred with the Public Service Commission to initiate an independent inquiry with the following terms of reference:

Reasons for the inaccuracies on the delegations of authority submitted to the former and current Minister by the Head of Department.

The lawfulness of the application of the delegations of authority by the former Minister of Communications to the Head of Department, dated 19 September 2013, in the Department of Telecommunications and Postal Services.

The circumstances and the role of the Head of Department in the disciplinary action taken against the three Deputy Directors-General, viz. Dr. S Vilakazi, Mr. T Phiri and Mr. G Buthelezi.

The manner, reasons and procedures followed in the disciplinary action taken against the three Deputy Directors-General.

Abuse of power and situations of conflict of interest in the relationship with the three Deputy Directors-General.

The irregular appointment of two employees to the same post of Media Liaison Officer in the Office of the Deputy Minister.

The regularity of the finalisation of the performance assessment process for members of the SMS for the 2013/14 Financial Year.

The tension/ destabilisation at the senior echelons of the Department, and the role of the Director-General.

Because of the seriousness of the issues under consideration the Minister is considering placing the Director General under precautionary leave of absence for the duration of the inquiry. This will merely be a precautionary step and is not a punishment and the Director General will be on full pay during the inquiry. The Minister has in the circumstances requested the Director General to write and submit to him reasons why she should not be placed on precautionary leave of absence. The Director General has been granted 72 hours to submit her reasons to the Minister.

Statement issued by Siya Qoza, Ministry of Telecommunications and Postal Services, August 3 2015