Something's got to give

The reported and strongly denied tension between communications minister Siphiwe Nyanda and his highest ranking public servant, Mamodupi Mohlala, is more about political survival than tenders.

A massive question mark hangs over the relationship between Nyanda and Mohlala following reports that the minister is seeking to suspend her due to a row over the awarding of tenders.

What makes it all the more confusing is that many felt they were getting on well together. Nyanda's choice of Mohlala as director-general of the Department of Communications (DOC) appeared to make sense.

She has the right political pedigree, and made a name for herself as being an outspoken and somewhat controversial ICASA councillor. In fact, Mohlala is the only councillor to have been successfully reappointed, even after she was found moonlighting during her first tenure.

The arrangement would be that Nyanda would exercise overall, but distant, control over the department, which is considered a minor one within government. Mohlala would sort out the day-to-day functions and provide whatever was needed to make the decisions and just tell the minister where to sign.

No doubt this arrangement made perfect sense. Nyanda has had plenty to occupy his mind, such as his support for his friend, the fired Transnet Freight Rail CEO, Siyabonga Gama, who allegedly improperly awarded Nyanda's security company a R67.8 million tender.

Furthermore, Nyanda had to make sure his luxury vehicles were working properly, and that the Mount Nelson Hotel was really serving properly chilled oysters and good quality wines.

Nyanda had to make sure his luxury vehicles were working properly, and that the Mount Nelson Hotel was really serving properly chilled oysters and good quality wines.

Paul Vecchiatto, Cape correspondent, ITWeb

Nyanda is the only minister that has had two complaints laid against him by two different political parties, Cope and the Democratic Alliance, over his alleged interference in tenders.

He was also accused of corruption by Cosatu general secretary Zwelinzima Vavi and, strangely enough, decided not to pursue legal action against him for making that statement.

Mohlala, however, seems to have got on with her job - not with a broom to sweep clean, but a steam hose. Since her appointment about 10 months ago, there is only one deputy director-general in a full-time position at the DOC, as five others have either been suspended, or left under a cloud due to the findings of a forensic audit report. Ntumba Incorporated, auditor for Nyanda's security firm, compiled this report.

There have also been more visible signs of things not working out properly.

Firstly, Nyanda had to withdraw his directive to ICASA on interconnection rates, in November, as it is the regulator's prerogative to set these levels.

Secondly, the broadcasting sector is in an uproar as indications are that the digital TV standard for the country's digital migration will be changed to another standard, halfway through implementation.

Rumours are now circulating that ICASA cancelled its spectrum auction not because of letters of concern from the industry, but because the DOC wants the spectrum after having completed its own frequency audit.

One thing about the previous communications minister, the late Ivy Matsepe-Casaburri, was that she was never tainted by allegations of corruption, misspending, or feathering her own nest. She had developed a reputation for genuinely caring about the poor, no matter how vulnerable she seemed to lobbying or muddled policy-making.

One of president Jacob Zuma's election promises was that ministers would be held accountable and sign performance contracts of some sort. But, while these will not be made public, speculation is that Zuma will soon be looking at a Cabinet reshuffle and to make an example of at least one minister. I wonder who it will be?

Director-generals are particularly vulnerable to their political masters. It is easy to point a finger at the public servant and fire them for not performing, than letting the minister take the blame.

This year, we have seen four director-generals receive the boot. We may soon see a fifth.