Subscribe

Telecoms dept investigation welcomed

Simnikiwe Mzekandaba
By Simnikiwe Mzekandaba, IT in government editor
Johannesburg, 04 Aug 2015
The Public Service Commission will investigate allegations of mismanagement within the telecoms department.
The Public Service Commission will investigate allegations of mismanagement within the telecoms department.

The investigation into the Department of Telecommunications and Postal Services' (DTPS) management affairs has been welcomed by the opposition party and industry.

The DTPS announced yesterday that the Public Service Commission (PSC) would conduct an independent investigation in the dysfunction of the department.

The investigation, as per minister Siyabong Cwele's request, follows concerns expressed by staff and department managers about the paralysis within the department. In his budget speech in May, Cwele noted the department's ongoing leadership challenges were negatively impacting its ability to execute its functions timeously.

Democratic Alliance shadow minister of telecommunications and postal services, Marian Shinn, says the investigation is a welcomed relief.

"The DTPS has been in a state of upheaval for some years, but this has been exacerbated during the past year by ongoing internal disciplinary and Special Investigating Unit inquiries," says Shinn.

Industry analyst and Strategy Worx CEO, Steven Ambrose, says "the terms of reference and the calibre of people on the panel doing the investigation are critical to the investigation's credibility and its competence in doing its work".

He adds: "Let's hope this gives some clarity to the infighting and paralysis that seem to be the main feature at the department."

Leave of absence

In terms of the PSC investigation, the role played by director-general Rosey Sekese in the dysfunction of the department will also be probed.

According to the department, the minister is considering placing the DG under precautionary leave of absence for the duration of the investigation.

However, the DG has been granted 72 hours to submit to the minister her reasons why she should not be placed on leave, says the DTPS.

Ambrose comments this appears to be a result of infighting and strife that has stifled service delivery and the smooth operation of the department. "The reasons may come clear from the investigation, but the solution is multifaceted and complex."

The department's lack of clear leadership from a professional management team is critical, and employment practices need to be completely revamped to replace cadre deployment with competent, properly qualified personnel, Ambrose says.

Share