The Department of Communications (DOC) has not taken any disciplinary action against director-general Rosey Sekese, despite Parliament's oversight committee calling for steps to be taken, after it found she lied to the committee.
Sekese was placed on special leave in January, but returned to work in April.
She was placed on leave following the Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Communications finding last November that Sekese had lied when she provided misleading evidence about signing a performance agreement with the DOC.
The committee wrote to Pule in November and requested that appropriate action be taken, and that she reverts to the committee. "Inconsistent or misleading information unties the trust relationship between the committee and the officials of the relevant department over which it has oversight."
Space invaders
Yesterday, Sam Vilakazi, deputy DG of administration, said there is currently no disciplinary process around Sekese. He pointed out that even if there was such a process, the department would not be able to announce it.
Vilakazi says the department should be afforded the space to deal with governance issues without these being aired in the public domain. He adds there is no confusion at the department around the issue, and its work continues.
From time to time, officials' responsibilities are reassigned, which is more of an internal relationship, says Vilakazi.
Spokesman Wisani Ngobeni says Sekese is still the DG and is in her office, after a settlement was reached. More details were not forthcoming.
Report request
Meanwhile, the committee is set to ask the minister to report back on what action has been taken.
Legal advice obtained by the committee, over action to be taken by Pule after Sekese misled the committee, found the alleged misrepresentation would require an internal investigation to determine whether disciplinary action amounts to appropriate action.
The memo, prepared by the Constitutional and Legal Services Office, says the form of disciplinary action, if necessary, would be determined by the context of the case, "which can only be decided upon by the minister following an initial investigation".
The committee can ask the minister to report back on the appropriate action. The DOC has said the "matter [of Sekese being on special leave] is being handled internally", without referring to specifics. Deputy DG Gift Buthelezi was asked to continue acting as director-general.
As the department's accounting officer, Sekese's role includes supporting Pule and deputy minister, Stella Ndabeni, in implementing government policies. She also oversees the development of ICT policies and strategies that "will place the country at the cutting-edge of development in the ICT environment in order to meet the strategic objectives of the country".
The director-general's responsibilities include making sure provision of ICT infrastructure is robust, reliable, affordable, secure and able to support a multiplicity of applications and services. Also included in the role is supporting the minister in providing leadership, guidance and oversight support to ICT state-owned entities.
Sekese was appointed by former minister Roy Padayachie, in May 2011, after having previously worked in the department as deputy DG of ICT infrastructure development, from 2006 to 2011.
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