Axed Department of Communications director-general Mamodupi Mohlala is “delighted” she is in line to be appointed as national Consumer Commission commissioner.
Mohlala hopes to put her fractured relationship with her former minister behind her.
Yesterday, trade and industry minister Rob Davies informed the Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Trade and Industry that Mohlala was being recommended to head up the National Consumer Commission, which is being set up in terms of the Consumer Protection Act.
Mohlala says this position was one that was on her list of alternative appointments after having been suddenly sacked by communications minister Siphiwe Nyanda in July.
In a court application, she said her dismissal was unlawful. Nyanda failed to file an answering affidavit that led to a court order in her favour, and now leaves the taxpayer to pick up a legal bill that could be in excess of R750 000.
Mohlala says she has not yet received a letter of appointment, but her discussions with public service and administration minister Richard Baloyi indicated she would be offered the position.
Davies told Parliament that Mohlala possessed the necessary expertise, experience and qualifications for the position. This emanates from her having worked as the DG for the Department of Communications, pension fund adjudicator for the Office of the Pension Funds Adjudicator, councillor for the Independent Communications Authority of SA, and MD of Mohlala Attorneys, among others.
However, Tim Harris, the Democratic Alliance's shadow trade and industry minister, says he hopes Davies was not strong-armed by Baloyi into accepting Mohlala, as Baloyi was bound to find her a job in terms of the Labour Court order.
“At best, Ms Mohlala is a controversial manager, but if minister Nyanda is to be believed, at worst she has left the communications department in disarray - the minister was recently quoted as saying the termination of her contract had 'to do with her conduct, processes and systems'.”
Harris says the DA hopes Davies took time to discuss the appointment with his Cabinet colleagues, and carefully considered her appropriateness for a position that is critically important for the protection of South African consumers.
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