The Department of Telecommunications and Postal Services (DTPS) has confirmed the youngest of President Jacob Zuma's daughters - Thuthukile - was recently appointed chief of staff at the newly formed ministry, but says her genealogy has nothing to do with the high-level nomination.
The 25-year-old president's daughter previously served under Siyabonga Cwele as a liaison officer at the State Security Agency, and followed the then spy boss to the DTPS when he was appointed minister of the department in May.
DTPS spokesperson Siya Qoza says Thuthukile's contract appointment in the ministry "is consistent with the rules and regulations governing the appointment of people in government ministries".
He points out that she holds an honours degree and has worked with Cwele before. "The minister only considered her capacity to do the job and her qualifications. Her genealogy was never a consideration."
Qoza says there have been no complaints around the young Zuma's appointment from the DTPS' human resource management unit. "Ms Zuma, just like all citizens, enjoys the freedom to participate in any economic activity, including being employed in government or the private sector."
According to online chief of staff job vacancy posts, the position yields a salary in the region of R800 000 to R930 000.
As chief of staff, Thuthukile is responsible for general management of staff and overseeing the general management of the ministry's budget, among other things.
Thuthukile's mother, Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma - the president's ex-wife - also held a top spot in government under Jacob Zuma, as minister of home affairs, between 2009 and 2012. She was not married to the president at the time.
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