Department of Telecommunications and Postal Service (DTPS) deputy director-general (DDG) Themba Phiri has stepped down from his post, according to two separate sources.
While official confirmation could not be obtained at the time of publication, it is understood Phiri resigned on Wednesday afternoon, but was asked to attend minister Siyabonga Cwele's budget vote speech yesterday, "for the sake of appearances".
Deputy minister Hlengiwe Mkhize said this afternoon that she had no knowledge about the resignation, saying Phiri "was at the office yesterday". Mkhize said she would try to confirm the move.
Reasons for Phiri's resignation are not known, but it comes as department insiders are growing increasingly dissatisfied with an alleged lack of leadership and personal agendas being driven by some senior officials within the DTPS.
Phiri, alongside DDG Sam Vilakazi, was facing disciplinary action instituted by director-general Rosey Sekese, relating to a R756 million deal to publicise digital TV migration. The deal, currently being probed by the Special Investigating Unit (SIU), was signed between the former Department of Communications and Johannesburg-based consultancy Media Corner.
According to sources, Sekese is using internal disciplinary processes to purge staff prior to the completion of the SIU probe.
Phiri is the second high-profile DTPS official to leave the department recently, after DDG Gift Buthelezi was fired via SMS by Sekese, in March.
Buthelezi was allegedly axed on accusations of failing to carry out his duties and/or insubordination, among others, but said at the time the charges are "fabricated" and vowed to challenge his dismissal in the Labour Court.
Phiri was appointed to the position of DDG: ICT policy and strategy in March 2012, after serving as acting DDG since 2009, with a special focus on universal access policies, programme development, coordination and implementation.
Phiri could not be reached for comment this afternoon, and ministerial spokesperson Siya Qoza did not respond to a request for comment by the time of publication.
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