CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER AND DEPUTY DIRECTOR GENERAL ON PRECAUTIONARY SUSPENSION

The Department of Water Affairs has on Monday, 01 November 2010, put its Chief Financial Officer, Mr. Onesmus Ayaya and the Deputy Director General for Corporate Services who was also the Acting Director General, Ms. Nobubele Ngele on precautionary suspension pending an investigation into irregular procurement practices.

In May 2010, the office of the Auditor General completed an investigation and published a report in which certain officials including the two were implicated in several breaches of procurement procedures. In a separate investigation, the Public Service Commission is also finalizing its process wherein the two individuals have also been implicated in further but separate allegations of procurement malpractice.

Given the seriousness of the allegations arising from both processes, the Department has thought it prudent to put them on precautionary suspension pending due process in this regard. The Department wishes to place it on record that the two are not guilty of any wrongdoing and their integrity and innocence should be respected. The legal principle, "innocent until proven guilty" applies wholly in this case.

The Department also wishes to assure members of the public and the country at large that this unfortunate situation will not have an adverse effect in the manner in which the Department conducts its business. Paramount in the Department's agenda is the delivery of services to South Africans and the professionals who remain in the Department will discharge this responsibility with the necessary commitment and diligence.

Meanwhile, the Department also wishes to correct the erroneous reports by certain media with regard to Deputy Minister Rejoice Mabudafhasi, who according to these reports has also been reshuffled in cabinet. Deputy Minister Rejoice Mabudafhasi is still the Deputy Minister of Water and Environmental Affairs.

Statement issued by Mava B Scott, Department of Water Affairs, November 2 2010

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