By ZINE GEORGE
A senior social development official was suspended yesterday and another has been given two days to give reasons why he should not be suspended.
They are alleged to have flouted procurement processes. Department spokesman Mzukisi Solani confirmed yesterday that two “notices of intention to suspend” were served on Tuesday to Joyce Msutu, general manager of supply chain management, and Gcobani Maswana, head of communications.
Following the letters, Solani said, “we can confirm that Mrs Joyce Msutu has now been placed on precautionary suspension with full benefits. This suspension is pending an internal investigation that is to be conducted against her on alleged irregularities.”
The Dispatch understands that Maswana has since asked for more time, as the letter, which required him to respond to the allegations, was served to him 27 minutes before the deadline.
Solani also confirmed that Maswana “has asked for an extension of time to respond to the notice and the department has duly accepted his request and the employer is awaiting his response.”
This follows the suspension of another senior social development official Masiza Mazizi over a racial quota scandal at a youth camp in Port Alfred last year.
Mazizi, who subsequently resigned, was accused of leaking information to the media after social development MEC Nancy Sihlwayi issued an instruction that Mazizi must not include white youths from participating in a youth camp for the poor.
The Dispatch understands that Msutu was also charged with dereliction of duty, while Maswana has to explain why he should not be charged for allegedly flouting procurement processes after he secured a national broadcaster to cover several road shows to market the role of the department in areas such as Lusikisiki last year and earlier this year.
Insiders viewed the suspension of all three as a witch-hunt “aimed at all those who were close to Bea Hackula ,” said a source close to the developments.
Maswana’s position was advertised in February this year while he was still under the employ of the department. The department currently has two senior communicators being paid at a director level simultaneously.
The Dispatch understands that Maswana has received at least five letters of intention to suspend since Hackula left the department to fill current HOD Stanley Khanyile’s position as head of cooperative governance and traditional affairs.
Premier Phumulo Masualle decided to swop Hackula and Khanyile following a cold war between them and their respective political heads. Hackula fell out of favour after she refused to allow Sihlwayi to interfer with administrative processes.
“Everyone who was viewed as being close to Bea is panicking, what if I’m next?” said the source.
Contacted for comment yesterday, Maswana refused to comment. Msutu did not respond to calls nor text messages sent to her by the time of going to print. — zineg@dispatch.co.za
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A senior social development official was suspended yesterday and another has been given two days to give reasons why he should not be suspended.
They are alleged to have flouted procurement processes. Department spokesman Mzukisi Solani confirmed yesterday that two “notices of intention to suspend” were served on Tuesday to Joyce Msutu, general manager of supply chain management, and Gcobani Maswana, head of communications.
Following the letters, Solani said, “we can confirm that Mrs Joyce Msutu has now been placed on precautionary suspension with full benefits. This suspension is pending an internal investigation that is to be conducted against her on alleged irregularities.”
The Dispatch understands that Maswana has since asked for more time, as the letter, which required him to respond to the allegations, was served to him 27 minutes before the deadline.
Solani also confirmed that Maswana “has asked for an extension of time to respond to the notice and the department has duly accepted his request and the employer is awaiting his response.”
This follows the suspension of another senior social development official Masiza Mazizi over a racial quota scandal at a youth camp in Port Alfred last year.
Mazizi, who subsequently resigned, was accused of leaking information to the media after social development MEC Nancy Sihlwayi issued an instruction that Mazizi must not include white youths from participating in a youth camp for the poor.
The Dispatch understands that Msutu was also charged with dereliction of duty, while Maswana has to explain why he should not be charged for allegedly flouting procurement processes after he secured a national broadcaster to cover several road shows to market the role of the department in areas such as Lusikisiki last year and earlier this year.
Insiders viewed the suspension of all three as a witch-hunt “aimed at all those who were close to Bea Hackula ,” said a source close to the developments.
Maswana’s position was advertised in February this year while he was still under the employ of the department. The department currently has two senior communicators being paid at a director level simultaneously.
The Dispatch understands that Maswana has received at least five letters of intention to suspend since Hackula left the department to fill current HOD Stanley Khanyile’s position as head of cooperative governance and traditional affairs.
Premier Phumulo Masualle decided to swop Hackula and Khanyile following a cold war between them and their respective political heads. Hackula fell out of favour after she refused to allow Sihlwayi to interfer with administrative processes.
“Everyone who was viewed as being close to Bea is panicking, what if I’m next?” said the source.
Contacted for comment yesterday, Maswana refused to comment. Msutu did not respond to calls nor text messages sent to her by the time of going to print. — zineg@dispatch.co.za
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