Controversial former director-general (DG) of the Department of Labour (DOL) Jimmy Manyi has been appointed CEO of the Government Communication and Information System (GCIS), as well as Cabinet spokesperson.
Minister of performance, monitoring and evaluation Collins Chabane announced the appointment, with immediate effect, yesterday.
He also said former GCIS CEO and Cabinet spokesperson Themba Maseko has now been appointed DG of the Department of Public Service and Administration.
Chabane said Maseko requested to be moved within government, following his four-year tenure in his previous position.
“Both Maseko and Manyi bring with them the wealth of experience and expertise from both the public and the private sector which will assist them in executing their duties.”
Controversial history
The Democratic Alliance (DA) says Manyi's appointment is inappropriate, because of the cloud still hanging over his head.
DA shadow minister of labour Ian Ollis says there is a litany of trouble behind Manyi that he is yet to answer for.
“First there is the conflict of interest with the BMF [Black Management Forum]; secondly, the issue with a European embassy where Manyi tried to solicit business for his friends; and thirdly, his attempt to get R1 billion for the DOL, based on a fake budget.”
Ollis says Manyi did not deal with any of the charges. “His lawyers repeatedly asked for an extension on his disciplinary hearings and now, before the hearings can happen, he is appointed to another government department.”
The DOL will have to decide on whether the disciplinary charges against him are dropped, since they have not yet been concluded, adds the shadow minister. “These things can't just disappear.
“The only possible reason for him being appointed under these circumstances is that he is well connected,” adds Ollis.
Manyi was suspended as DG of the DOL in June. The DA says there was talk that he was then fired after a long suspension, but Manyi denies this.
“There is no proof for either story so we can't say,” says Ollis.
Chabane's spokesperson Harold Maloka did not respond to queries around Manyi's appointment by the time of publication.
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