The Universal Service and Access Agency of SA (USAASA) is apparently growing increasingly frustrated with its suspended CEO, who is said to be stalling the disciplinary enquiry into charges of sexual harassment levelled against him.
James Theledi has been suspended on full pay since September, pending a formal disciplinary hearing into an allegation that he made inappropriate remarks to a colleague, a senior USAASA manager, whose identity is known to ITWeb.
Initially, both USAASA and Theledi said they would like to see the matter resolved as promptly as possible, but now a well-placed source says Theledi has managed to have the hearing put off until next year.
The source alleges Theledi continually insisted on being allowed to have his own independent legal representation at the hearing and the agency finally agreed.
"Now it seems like USAASA is at the mercy of his lawyers, who are only available in January next year. Until then, the disciplinary cannot commence."
The source says USAASA`s probe into the allegations has been completed.
Waste of money
"The allegations have been investigated and witnesses are ready to give evidence. By the time the hearing takes place in January, he [Theledi] would have been suspended on full pay for some five months. This is a waste of money and it is in the public`s interest to know how the system is being abused.
"USAASA was warned against agreeing to outside legal representation."
The sexual harassment charge stems from an incident at the annual Presidential International Advisory Council on Information Society and Development, held in Limpopo, in September.
It is alleged Theledi made sexually suggestive comments to a female colleague, in the presence of USAASA stakeholders - identified as several well-known ICT players - at a Hoedspruit hotel.
Initially, sources close to Theledi downplayed the incident, saying the grievance stemmed from a dinner conversation between Theledi and a female colleague. The sources insisted there was no truth to the allegations, as the conversation took place in front of witnesses who would corroborate Theledi`s version of events.
USAASA chairperson Cassandra Gabriel would not comment on the latest allegations that Theledi is stalling the process, while Theledi could not be reached for comment this morning.
The agency`s head of legal and regulatory affairs, Phineas Moleele, has been acting as CEO since Theledi`s suspension.
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