The Technology Innovation Agency (TIA) is putting an "action plan" in place, following a forensic probe that was conducted into allegations concerning procedural and governance matters, but is still keeping mum on the details.
Board chairman Khungeka Njobe says the investigation report was considered by the board, after which it was decided that an action plan had to be put in place. She says the report has, however, not yet been considered by science and technology minister Derek Hanekom, "as there were outstanding investigations that were not completed".
Njobe refused to divulge details of the investigation findings, saying the agency's internal processes need to be finalised.
Allegations reportedly relating to procurement, investments and staffing surfaced after an external review was done by independent experts earlier this year. Allegations against CEO Simphiwe Duma were also investigated, and he was placed on special leave for the duration of the probe.
According to Njobe, Duma elected to take special leave as "he felt he needed to give the investigation process space so as to eliminate any potential allegations that there is interference on his side".
The TIA, which falls under the Department of Science and Technology (DST), was formed through merging seven DST entities previously tasked with supporting and promoting innovation in the country.
A new board, which has only one member from the previous board, took over the reins at the tech agency in May, and former chairperson Mamphela Ramphele was replaced with Njobe.
Ramphele responded to the TIA investigation saying her "hands are clean" and questioned whether the investigation was an appropriate use of taxpayers' funds. She declined to comment any further and says she will comment again "when there are further developments".
The agency has been involved with funding a range of innovations, including technology for the commercialisation of animal health biotechnology products, electric car infrastructure, and advances made in HIV treatment.
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