Suspended USAASA exec resigns

Suspended executive manager of Business Development Services at the Universal Service and Access Agency SA (USAASA), Molefi Mollo, has resigned following months of interrogation.

This comes after a forensic and disciplinary process around four USAASA executive managers and two senior managers, including Mollo, who were suspended pending the outcome of a forensic investigation into allegations of financial mismanagement at the agency.

The government agency is responsible for promoting the goal of universal service and access. Its mandate includes facilitating access to telecommunications in under-serviced areas so residents may enter the global information society. It has also been tasked with providing subsidised set-top boxes for digital migration to poor households that cannot afford them.

Mollo was suspended in September 2011, along with CFO Andrew Hlubi and senior manager of SCM Archie Mbatha. These suspensions were followed by that of then CEO, Phineas Moleele; executive manager of Performance Management, Thandeka Mngadi; and senior manager of ICT, Thato Matsepe.

Executive caretaker of the agency, Themba Phiri, says it is regrettable that Mollo resigned before the conclusion of the disciplinary process. “I have, however, decided to accept his resignation.”

Mollo is the second of the suspended to tender his resignation, since Moleele resigned in March this year after being granted a settlement of seven months' salary.

USAASA spokesperson Makhotso Moiloa says an advert for the post of CEO went out and was closed on 3 August. “Internal recruitment processes are already under way. We hope to conclude [the process] before the end of the year.”

Communications minister Dina Pule, in November, appointed Sam Vilakazi, acting deputy DG of finance, and Phiri, acting deputy DG of the Presidential National Commission on Information Society and Development, as executive caretakers to steer the organisation as an interim measure, while the investigations were being carried out.

Moiloa says the investigation has been concluded and disciplinary hearings are under way. “Unfortunately we can't pre-empt the process but can only hope for a speedy conclusion.”

As per normal labour process, the executives are suspended with full pay, according to the agency.

Democratic Alliance shadow minister of communications Marian Shinn was critical of Moleele's resignation, and said it would allow him to depart with an unblemished record. She added that there are many examples of government officials not being held accountable for failure and being allowed to “get away with it”.