The choice of outgoing State IT Agency (SITA) CEO Mavuso Msimang for the director-general post at the Department of Home Affairs is being criticised due to an outstanding charge of sexual harassment.
Minister of Home Affairs Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula yesterday announced Msimang had been approved by Cabinet to lead the much-maligned department.
"His experience in driving the commercialisation of the National Parks while involving local communities in a wide range of economic development activities related to conservation, and his remarkable turnaround of the fortunes of SITA, have given us the confidence that he is the right man to assist in successfully mastering the challenges we face at Home Affairs," she said.
However, Msimang is still awaiting an opportunity to defend himself against sexual harassment charges brought by a former personal assistant.
In January last year, Afrikaans newspaper Beeld reported the former personal assistant was suing Msimang for R500 000, for asking her if she would "receive my sperm". The papers served in the Pretoria High Court alleged he had sexually harassed her between September 2003 and September 2005. As her direct boss, her career options depended on him.
'Insensitive, risky'
Yesterday online news portal IOL reported Mapisa-Nqakula had said she was aware of the pending case and had spoken to Msimang about it.
Home Affairs spokesperson Cleopatra Mosana yesterday afternoon repeated the minister's comments that Msimang should be considered innocent until proven guilty. Mosana would not provide further comment other than that provided in the original announcement of Msimang's appointment.
Acknowledging Msimang is innocent until proven guilty, the Democratic Alliance (DA) has condemned the appointment as insensitive and risky.
In a statement, the DA said the scandal-prone and inefficient Department of Home Affairs is in dire need of stability and a DG that can focus 100% on the implementation of a turnaround strategy.
"The fact that [Msimang] has a sexual harassment suit hanging over his head means he presents a tremendous new risk to the department. The pending court case will prove a distraction he cannot afford."
Should Msimang be found guilty, Mapisa-Nqakula would likely be forced to terminate his services, placing the department back in the position it currently finds itself, the DA added.
"That the minister recommended and accepted the appointment of Msimang is inappropriate, not only because it demonstrates the minister's lack of grasp for her responsibilities as the executive authority of a key government department, it also displays a surprising lack of respect for the rights of women who she represents as the president of the ANC Women's League."
SITA and Msimang were unavailable for comment at the time of publication.
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