Axed Department of Communications director-general (DG) Mamodupi Mohlala says she did not supply information, or contribute to a weekend newspaper report.
Mohlala was reacting to a strong statement, issued by communications minister Siphiwe Nyanda's spokesperson, Panyaza Lesufi, in response to a media article that Mohalala had reported tender irregularities to the SA Police Service and auditor-general the day before she was dismissed.
In the statement yesterday, Nyanda says he “....believes his director-general, Mamodupi Mohlala, has now crossed the line if the allegations contained in today's Sunday Independent [newspaper] are correct”.
It goes on to say his office “...rejects the baseless and fabrigated (sic) allegations that the DG's contract was termininated (sic) because she laid criminal charges about tenders with the auditor-general and the South African Police Service”.
Nyanda's statement also says: “This attitude can't continue unchallenged,” and adds that the termination of the DG's contract had nothing to do with tenders, but all to do with her “conduct, processes and systems”.
It goes on to say the ministry will verify the basis of these allegations and, where possible, will take firm action against those who continue to disregard rules and regulations that govern the department.
According to the Independent on Sunday newspaper, Mohlala was fired after reporting tender irregularities worth R70 million. It quoted from several letters written by her to Nyanda and the auditor-general's office. Many of the tender irregularities occurred before she was appointed as DG in July 2009.
The Independent on Sunday report says Mohlala did not comment when contacted.
“I have been keeping to the spirit of the agreement reached between me and public service and administration minister Richard Baloyi,” Mohlala told ITWeb.
When told about Mohlala's assertion, Lesufi said: “Let's not enter that debate. This has also to do with all the other times she was quoted in the press.”
Nyanda controversially fired Mohlala on 23 July, citing a breakdown of trust.
Mohlala then instituted a legal challenge to have her dismissal declared unlawful and also approached president Jacob Zuma to intervene. Zuma appointed Baloyi to either mediate or find Mohlala another public service position with the same employment terms and conditions.
Nyanda failed to justify his dismissal of Mohlala by not handing in his replying affidavit to her legal action in time, thus contributing to the present situation.
She rejected a R2.9 million settlement when it was offered to her.
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