Department of Communications (DOC) director-general Mamodupi Mohlala claims there is no rift between her and communications minister Siphiwe Nyanda that she will be back at work next week.
Mohlala, who is currently on sick leave, says she has no idea where reports of her being suspended by Nyanda have come from or what the issues are about. In the meantime, Harold Wesso, a departmental deputy director-general, will stand in for her as is usual practice.
Mohlala also confirms that disciplinary hearings against several senior staff members will commence in August.
National newspaper Business Day reported yesterday that Nyanda was on the verge of suspending Mohlala due to disagreements over the awarding of tenders.
“I have no idea where these reports come from... I shall be returning to work on Monday next week,” she says.
A number of senior DOC officials were suspended in May, shortly after Nyanda delivered his budget vote speech in Parliament. These include the deputy-directors of operations and finance, Gerda Grabe and Harry Matabane, respectively, following a forensic audit.
Others who are also facing suspension and disciplinary charges are the chief director of finance Mapitso Malaku, the chief director for shareholder management Sibongile Makopi, and the director of business relations Senzo Gumbi.
The charges mainly relate to service suppliers being paid for goods and services that were allegedly not delivered.
“I have no news about anything going on in the department. No one there is allowed to contact me,” Grabe says.
Human resources deputy director-general Basani Baloyi has been reinstated after being dismissed unfairly.
A department insider says the DOC is in a constant state of flux.
“It has been a very difficult time for all here as no one knows who will be next on the chopping block,” the source says.
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