The Department of Public Service and Administration indicated its intent earlier this year to have the post of government CIO filled by the end of April, but no one has been appointed yet, says department spokesperson Ndivhuwo Wa Ha Mabaya.
Government has been without an IT head since former CIO Michelle Williams resigned, in April 2011. The government CIO heads up the Government IT Officers Council, which is central to the implementation of ICT initiatives within government.
Wa Ha Mabaya reiterated that the department planned to fill the position by the end of April this year, but says "the recruitment process took longer than expected".
He was unable to comment on where exactly the department is in the recruitment process, but said it will announce the new CIO as soon as the appointment has been made. "The matter is considered urgent and we will finalise it as soon as possible," said Wa Ha Mabaya.
Earlier this year, Wa Ha Mabaya explained the post was initially advertised, but the minister was not satisfied with the quality of the candidates. An additional headhunting process ensued, prolonging the process.
Williams left the company following her involvement with the high-profile controversy surrounding the resignation of the State IT Agency's (SITA's) CEO, Llewellyn Jones. Jones abruptly resigned in 2009, citing personal differences with Williams.
This dispute arose when Williams allegedly instructed Jones to sideline the winning bidder for a SITA tender in favour of another entity that unsuccessfully bid. Williams denied any wrongdoing and said the original winning bidder did not meet certain government criteria.
Williams stepped down from the SITA board in October 2009, but remained government CIO until April 2011.
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