The provincial social development and special programmes department yesterday shot down concerns raised by provincial auditor-general’s (AG) office that some of their recent appointments were done without processes being followed.
The AG last month wrote to the department demanding answers on why there was no available evidence to show that some of their appointments were aboveboard.
The AG’s letter dated June 19, requested the department to explain why during the appointment of seven senior officials, including former head of department Bea Hackula and chief of staff Sakhekile Ndudula, certain processes were allegedly not followed.
The AG had claimed that no evidence was found to show that some of the posts were advertised in media platforms as required by legislation.
In the same letter the AG also stated that no evidence was found that selection committees were established when various appointments were made.
It also revealed that it found no evidence that pre-employment verification checks and competency assessments, were conducted during some of the appointments.
The AG’s office wanted the department to give explanation on why there was no available evidence to support such appointments.
However, department spokesman Gcobani Maswana yesterday said all appointments done “were in compliance with relevant legislation and policy”.
Maswana said Ndudula’s post was not advertised because he was part of MEC Nancy Sihlwayi’s core staff.
He said Ndudula was appointed “according to the MEC’s handbook” which gives any MEC “absolute powers” to appoint any six officials, without having to advertise such posts.
He said the other posts in question were advertised in national and provincial newspapers as required by legislation.
Maswana said it was not factual that the reappointment of Hackula had been done without a selection panel being established.
He said the reason such evidence was not found at the department was because it was kept at premier Phumulo Masualle’s office.
“All director-generals and heads of departments are appointed by the office of the premier and all documentation regarding their appointments are kept at the office of the premier,” said Maswana.
He added that in all the appointments made by the department and which had been questioned by the AG, verification checks and competency assessments were done.
He said this was except for one case involving management information services’ senior manager Nqabisa Mazizi whose verification results were still outstanding. — asandan@dispatch.co.za
Bhisho downplays AG ’s job concerns
The AG last month wrote to the department demanding answers on why there was no available evidence to show that some of their appointments were aboveboard.
The AG’s letter dated June 19, requested the department to explain why during the appointment of seven senior officials, including former head of department Bea Hackula and chief of staff Sakhekile Ndudula, certain processes were allegedly not followed.
The AG had claimed that no evidence was found to show that some of the posts were advertised in media platforms as required by legislation.
In the same letter the AG also stated that no evidence was found that selection committees were established when various appointments were made.
It also revealed that it found no evidence that pre-employment verification checks and competency assessments, were conducted during some of the appointments.
The AG’s office wanted the department to give explanation on why there was no available evidence to support such appointments.
However, department spokesman Gcobani Maswana yesterday said all appointments done “were in compliance with relevant legislation and policy”.
Maswana said Ndudula’s post was not advertised because he was part of MEC Nancy Sihlwayi’s core staff.
He said Ndudula was appointed “according to the MEC’s handbook” which gives any MEC “absolute powers” to appoint any six officials, without having to advertise such posts.
He said the other posts in question were advertised in national and provincial newspapers as required by legislation.
Maswana said it was not factual that the reappointment of Hackula had been done without a selection panel being established.
He said the reason such evidence was not found at the department was because it was kept at premier Phumulo Masualle’s office.
“All director-generals and heads of departments are appointed by the office of the premier and all documentation regarding their appointments are kept at the office of the premier,” said Maswana.
He added that in all the appointments made by the department and which had been questioned by the AG, verification checks and competency assessments were done.
He said this was except for one case involving management information services’ senior manager Nqabisa Mazizi whose verification results were still outstanding. — asandan@dispatch.co.za
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