Two opposition parties, the Democratic Alliance (DA) and Congress of the People (Cope) are not surprised by Mamodupi Mohlala's sudden dismissal as communications director-general.
However, they say proper procedures must be followed and allegations investigated.
Juli Kilian, Cope's communications spokesperson, says her party, “...has all along warned that the appointment of Ms Mohlala was problematic - the process followed during the appointment process as well as her suitability for the post.”
She says Cope believes communications minister Siphiwe Nyanda erred when he allowed Mohlala to single-handedly eradicate the department's entire corporate memory, under the guise of taking action against corrupt officials, and replacing them with friends and acquaintances.
Almost all of the DOC's deputy directors-general have either resigned, or been placed on suspension following a forensic audit, with only permanently appointed deputy director-general Harold Wesso remaining.
Kilian says Cope supports the decision to find a more suitable head for this critically strategic department.
“Cope, however, believes that due process should be followed to dismiss her. We also believe the minister's decision to dismiss her should not be based on an irretrievable breakdown in trust between him and her, but rather on the basis of her lack of strategic leadership, and on the basis of irreparable damage done to the department and agencies that report to it,” Kilian says.
She adds that Cope believes the issue of allegedly awarding tenders to companies closely associated to the minister should be investigated. “Ms Mohlala's claims should not summarily be dismissed, but instead should be thoroughly investigated.”
“The only reports we are getting are via the media. So far nothing has been done to explain to Parliament's oversight committee what is going on.”
Mazibuko says the ruling African National Congress (ANC) did not pursue the issue over the dismissal of many DOC senior staff members during the past year, and was quick to dismiss any allegations of a political witch-hunt in the department.
She says the public protector should also speed up investigations into allegations surrounding Nyanda's improper involvement in tender irregularities.
Ismail Vadi (ANC), chairman of Parliament's communications committee, is currently overseas on a fact-finding trip to London and Brazil, and was not available for comment.
Daniel Silke, an independent political commentator, says Mohlala's dismissal is indicative of a breakdown in relationships between Cabinet ministers and their senior public servants.
He points out that during the last 12 months, eight directors-general have either resigned, been dismissed, or are on suspension.
“None of this bodes well for effective governance or service delivery,” he says.
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