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The Democratic Alliance welcomes the news that Minister of Telecommunications and Postal Services (DTPS) Dr Siyabonga Cwele has initiated, with the concurrence of the Public Service Commission, an independent inquiry into the management affairs of his department.

He has also asked Director-General Rosey Sekese to explain within 72 hours why she should not be placed on precautionary leave of absence for the duration of the inquiry.

Last week the DA reported that three Deputy Directors-Generals had left the department within five months. In addition, last week 80% of the senior staff were issued warning letters by the DG for their non-performance in the first quarter of the current fiscal year.

I was informed during the past weekend that, apart from the departure of DDG Sam Vilakazi last week, three other employees left the department: Legal Director, Lerato Molete, Assistant Director of Procurement, Masotla Sebona, and Deputy Director of Strategic Management, Judy Stevens. Both Mr Sebona and Ms Stevens have more than 10 years experience with the DTPS and its predecessor department.

The DTPS has been in a state of upheaval for some years, but this has been exacerbated during the past year by ongoing internal disciplinary and Special Investigating Unit (SIU) inquiries.

Ms Sekese is due to appear before the Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Telecommunications and Postal Services tomorrow to report on the department’s first quarter results.

The DA commends Minister Cwele for at last taking action on what has for sometime clearly been a dysfunctional department. He called branch meetings on July 10 and 13 at which staff voiced their concerns. Some staff submitted reports on the mismanagement of the department.

Following these meetings, Ms Sekese issued warning notices about non-performance to most of those who raised their concerns with the Minister.

The two SIU investigations into the dubious mega-million Media Corner deal and the ICT Indaba – which involves many department staff from directors-general down - were due for completion on Friday (July 31) for imminent handover to the President.

Issued by DA