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DTPS yet to release department status report

Simnikiwe Mzekandaba
By Simnikiwe Mzekandaba, IT in government editor
Johannesburg, 15 Feb 2016
Minister Siyabonga Cwele approached the PSC to investigate the management affairs of the department last year.
Minister Siyabonga Cwele approached the PSC to investigate the management affairs of the department last year.

Department of Telecommunications and Postal Services minister Siyabonga Cwele is still applying his mind to the Public Service Commission's (PSC's) inquiry report into management affairs within the department.

As part of the ongoing investigations by the PSC, the minister moved to place director-general Rosey Sekese on precautionary leave of absence for the duration of the inquiry.

In December, the department noted the minister had received the commission's final report, and will make further comments in due course.

According to DTPS spokesperson Siya Qoza, the department is yet to release a final report based on the findings of the PSC investigation into management systems in the department.

"Kindly be aware that the disciplinary proceedings involving the DG are ongoing. In order not to prejudice the disciplinary proceedings, full details will be made available once the process is finalised," says Qoza.

Fall from grace

Last year, Cwele approached the PSC to investigate the management affairs of the department.

The DTPS said the minister's move was motivated by concerns received from individuals and managers about the paralysis within the department.

Last year, internal disciplinary charges were brought against department DG Rosey Sekese.
Last year, internal disciplinary charges were brought against department DG Rosey Sekese.

Cwele previously noted his department's leadership challenges, which he said are negatively impacting the ability to execute its functions timeously.

The minister approached the commission for assistance regarding the role played by senior management, including Sekese, in the dysfunction of the department.

Former DTPS officials have been very vocal that the leadership crisis affecting the department could be attributed to Sekese's management style.

In a space of five months, three deputy-director generals left the department under hostile circumstances.

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.

In July, DDG Themba Phiri was fired from the department, after previously being asked by minister Cwele to withdraw his resignation.

At the time, Phiri said he was charged by Sekese with maladministration and lying to Parliament's Ethics Committee in relation to former communications minister Dina Pule's actions.

Subsequently, another DDG, Sam Vilakazi, left the department to take up a senior role at a state-owned company in the telecoms space. The department did not disclose which state-owned entity Vilakazi would move to.

All three DDGs were involved in internal disciplinary hearings regarding the controversial awarding of a R756 million tender to Media Corner, a deal which is being probed by the Special Investigating Unit.

Formal charges

In November, the ministry announced that internal disciplinary charges were laid against Sekese. This followed the minister's decision to place her on precautionary suspension for a period of 60 days.

In a statement, the DTPS said the suspended DG was served with charges and the disciplinary process started on Tuesday, 3 November.

The DTPS statement did not reveal Sekese's charges, only stating: "The department will advise the public once these processes have been concluded by the chairperson of the inquiry."

The department has made no further comments about the charges against Sekese or her position.

Business Report claims to be in possession of a copy of the PSC report, which it says reveals Sekese's management style is largely to blame for the alleged dysfunction within the department.

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