Communications minister Faith Muthambi's penchant for appointing controversial figures to key government positions continues unabated, and her latest move to appoint Jimmy Manyi as her special advisor has drawn criticism from the official opposition.
Her most controversial appointment was that of Hlaudi Motsoeneng as permanent COO of the SABC in July, despite a Public Protector's report on Motsoeneng, which found that while he was acting COO, he misrepresented his matric qualifications to the SABC, inflated his own salary and purged senior staff. The report recommended that a new COO be appointed at the SABC within 90 days.
However, Muthambi ignored the report and maintained Motsoeneng was cleared of all wrongdoing by a legal firm before she appointed him in the permanent position. This prompted the Democratic Alliance to launch a High Court bid to have his appointment set aside. On Friday, the Western Cape High Court ordered that Motsoeneng be suspended and face a disciplinary hearing.
The appointment of Manyi, the former head of the Government Communication and Information Services (GCIS), comes as part of a wider shake-up at the new Department of Communications (DOC), which is seen as a move that cements the DOC's role as a propaganda machine for president Jacob Zuma.
Zuma has been facing increasing pressure, both from inside and outside of the ANC, over controversial issues such as Nkandla and the arms deal.
Muthambi's DOC reshuffle also sees the removal of Phumla Williams as Cabinet spokesperson and acting head of the GCIS. The move is seen as a demotion for Williams, who - according to the DOC - will now help minister in the Presidency Jeff Radebe with the inter-ministerial committee tasked with repositioning Brand SA.
Muthambi also appointed Donald Liphoko, a chief director at DOC, as acting director general of the department, which means he effectively becomes Williams' boss.
Part-time job
Aside from the political questions that Manyi's appointment has raised, the legality of the move has also been placed in the spotlight. It is alleged Manyi, who is currently a senior manager at state-owned Rand Water, did not seek permission from his current employer before accepting the DOC position.
According to City Press, Rand Water has written to the public service and administration department to get clarity on the issue - as government officials cannot hold two separate government posts. Rand Water spokesman Fawcett Ngoatje stated Manyi submitted a formal declaration of interest to Rand Water, and told the parastatal that his DOC role was a part-time position.
In the meantime, Rand Water stated Manyi has submitted annual leave for "external engagements". Manyi spoke to ITWeb from London this morning, where he is part of Muthambi's delegation at the Innova BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa) Summit, which starts today.
"Rand Water has already pronounced on the matter. I'm not sure what else you want me to do," he said. Manyi would also not discuss the details of his new role under Muthambi, saying questions should be directed to the minister's spokesperson, Ayanda Hollow. Hollow, who is also attending the summit, could not be reached telephonically.
Zuma loyalist
Meanwhile, Democratic Alliance shadow minister of communications Gavin Davis says Manyi's DOC appointment is an indication the department is setting itself up to protect Zuma, as Manyi is a known Zuma loyalist.
"Manyi was the driving force behind the Black Management Forum's support of Zuma at the ANC's Polokwane in 2007," he says. The conference saw the election of Zuma to the party's top leadership and National Executive Committee, a move that was a precursor to toppling then president Thabo Mbeki the following year.
Davis also alludes to Manyi's stint as the CEO of the GCIS, where he wanted to take control of the state's R1 billion advertising budget and decide how it is spent - "rewarding" media that "tell the truth" about government's service delivery.
At the time, Manyi said Cabinet had approved a new communication strategy that would include "a return to government's centralised approach to media buying". In addition, Davis also questions whether Manyi has resigned from the board of the Media Development and Diversity Agency, before going to work for Muthambi. "If he hasn't, then this will be a clear conflict of interest. But I'm struggling to find any clarity on this," he says, adding the portfolio committee briefing tomorrow should shed more light.
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