Premier Phumulo Masualle has directed that Stanley Khanyile, head of cooperative governance and traditional affairs (Cogta), be moved to head up social development.
In return, social development head Bea Hackula will take over as Cogta’s head of department (HoD).
In letters addressed to the two last week, Masualle said the changing of chairs was to be effected “as soon as possible”.
The premier’s spokeswoman Nomfanelo Kota confirmed yesterday that Masualle had given “the directive to the two HoDs and they had subsequently acknowledged receipt thereof.
“The basic conditions of their employment remain the same,” said Kota.
The Daily Dispatch understands that the premier first had one-on-one meetings with the seasoned administrators two weeks ago, informing them of his plans to swap them around.
This follows Daily Dispatch reports on the sour relationships between the two and their respective political heads.
At some point Cogta MEC Fikile Xasa suspended Khanyile following media reports that he was allegedly involved in nepotism, an investigation whose findings have yet to be made public.
Khanyile successfully challenged his suspension and returned to office two months later.
Xasa confirmed yesterday that Masualle had been handling the matter between him and Khanyile, “and has indicated that he would move to another department”.
“The last time I checked he was supposed to report to the other office but my new HoD has asked for more time to discuss some issues with the premier.
“So it’s clear the swapping will happen any day from now,” said Xasa.
Khanyile also confirmed receiving the letter from the premier saying, “in principle I have indicated to the premier that I have accepted his recommendation”.
A similar cold war has been playing out at social development between Hackula and her political head Nancy Sihlwayi.
The Dispatch reported a month ago that Sihlwayi had been accused of alleged nepotism and meddling with administration outside her mandate.
She even admitted to the Dispatch on record how she had included her half-sister on a list of disadvantaged youths to be part of a Rhodes University community development programme.
In justifying her actions she accused Hackula, and another senior manager Masiza Mazizi, of also including their relatives in the same programme, a claim both Hackula and Mazizi disputed.
Neither Sihlwayi nor Hackula could be reached for comment at the time of writing.
Public Service Accountability Monitoring’s Jay Kruuse said Masualle was acting within his rights to make these changes, as Section 12(3)(b) of the Public Service Act of 1994 stated that the “premier of a province may transfer the head of OTP, a provincial department or a provincial government component before or at the expiry of his or her term”.
But “premier Masualle is under an obligation to explain his decision and especially whether it is in accordance with .
“He should also explain to the public why this decision was in the public interest, including what relevant factors would lead towards improved levels of service within the respective departments,” said Kruuse.
He said the most appropriate means of avoiding infighting was to ensure that HoDs and MECs “conclude performance agreements and service delivery agreements outlining clearly what their respective obligations are”.
“The parties should then respect their respective legislated responsibilities and support each other where action is required by law,” Kruuse added.
Premier pushes for changes to end ‘cold war’
In return, social development head Bea Hackula will take over as Cogta’s head of department (HoD).
In letters addressed to the two last week, Masualle said the changing of chairs was to be effected “as soon as possible”.
The premier’s spokeswoman Nomfanelo Kota confirmed yesterday that Masualle had given “the directive to the two HoDs and they had subsequently acknowledged receipt thereof.
“The basic conditions of their employment remain the same,” said Kota.
The Daily Dispatch understands that the premier first had one-on-one meetings with the seasoned administrators two weeks ago, informing them of his plans to swap them around.
This follows Daily Dispatch reports on the sour relationships between the two and their respective political heads.
At some point Cogta MEC Fikile Xasa suspended Khanyile following media reports that he was allegedly involved in nepotism, an investigation whose findings have yet to be made public.
Khanyile successfully challenged his suspension and returned to office two months later.
Xasa confirmed yesterday that Masualle had been handling the matter between him and Khanyile, “and has indicated that he would move to another department”.
“The last time I checked he was supposed to report to the other office but my new HoD has asked for more time to discuss some issues with the premier.
“So it’s clear the swapping will happen any day from now,” said Xasa.
Khanyile also confirmed receiving the letter from the premier saying, “in principle I have indicated to the premier that I have accepted his recommendation”.
A similar cold war has been playing out at social development between Hackula and her political head Nancy Sihlwayi.
The Dispatch reported a month ago that Sihlwayi had been accused of alleged nepotism and meddling with administration outside her mandate.
She even admitted to the Dispatch on record how she had included her half-sister on a list of disadvantaged youths to be part of a Rhodes University community development programme.
In justifying her actions she accused Hackula, and another senior manager Masiza Mazizi, of also including their relatives in the same programme, a claim both Hackula and Mazizi disputed.
Neither Sihlwayi nor Hackula could be reached for comment at the time of writing.
Public Service Accountability Monitoring’s Jay Kruuse said Masualle was acting within his rights to make these changes, as Section 12(3)(b) of the Public Service Act of 1994 stated that the “premier of a province may transfer the head of OTP, a provincial department or a provincial government component before or at the expiry of his or her term”.
But “premier Masualle is under an obligation to explain his decision and especially whether it is in accordance with .
“He should also explain to the public why this decision was in the public interest, including what relevant factors would lead towards improved levels of service within the respective departments,” said Kruuse.
He said the most appropriate means of avoiding infighting was to ensure that HoDs and MECs “conclude performance agreements and service delivery agreements outlining clearly what their respective obligations are”.
“The parties should then respect their respective legislated responsibilities and support each other where action is required by law,” Kruuse added.
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