The Universal Service and Access Agency of SA (USAASA) is looking to fill two key vacancies on its management team, advertising the positions of CEO and CFO.
The vacancies, which are contract-based, are for a period of 18 months, based on the jobs post on the agency’s Web site.
Embattled agency USAASA has been without a permanent chief executive since the departure of Lumko Mtimde, who left after his employment contract expired on 22 May 2019.
Following Mtimde’s exit, the CEO position has been occupied by persons in an acting capacity, including Sipho Mngqibisa and Dr Mashilo Boloka. Chwayita Madikizela currently serves as the agency’s acting CEO.
The CEO position at USAASA has been an area of contention in the past.
Former CEO Zami Nkosi’s appointment was widely criticised following allegations that he was hired irregularly. Following his appointment, the Special Investigating Unit (SIU) moved to investigate these allegations.
The SIU called for Nkosi to leave his post. However, he stayed in his role until the then-Department of Telecommunications and Postal Service (DTPS) did not renew his contract.
In 2018, the USAASA board quietly suspended Mtimde pending a disciplinary hearing. At the time, the agency said the suspension was related to allegations of various acts of misconduct.
Following his suspension, Mtimde took USAASA to the Labour Court. He also asked public protector Busisiwe Mkhwebane to investigate alleged abuse of power by the board.
The disagreement emanated from the appointment of a company secretary by the USAASA board. Mtimde claimed the appointment was irregular and in contravention of various legislation.
Based on the findings of the public protector’s report, former DTPS minister Siyabonga Cwele dismissed the USAASA board of directors. Cwele also exercised the report’s other recommendations that Mtimde be reinstated as CEO.
In regards to the CFO, the position is occupied by Frik Nieman, also in an acting capacity.
The agency states: “The main purpose of the CEO is to lead USAASA and USAF [Universal Service and Access Fund] through developing the strategies and managing the implementation of the operational plans to deliver on the USAASA and USAF mandates.”
In addition, it says: “The main purpose of the CFO is to manage that the USAASA and USAF finances are budgeted, utilised and reported on according to policy, the PFMA and statutory requirements.”
For more information on USAASA’s CEO vacancy, click here. Details about the CFO vacancy can be accessed by clicking here.
The closing date for applications is 9 May.
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