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The Democratic Alliance welcomes the axing of two Heads of Department for Sport, Arts and Culture and Transport, Safety and Liaison respectively.

We commend Northern Cape Premier Sylvia Lucas for not renewing the contracts of Faisal Aysen and Steven Jonkers.

The DA particularly welcomes the removal of Steven Jonkers the HOD for the department of Transport, Safety and Liaison. The DA has been long calling for him to be removed from office given the seriousness of the allegations and criminal charges leveled against him, the honorable thing for him was to step down until his name has been cleared.

Under his watch the department remained stagnant in terms of its audit outcomes. In the previous financial years the department received unqualified audit findings with emphasis of matters.

The department is the fourth highest contributor to irregular expenditure in the province. In 2013/14, the department incurred the amount of R120 750 000.00 with almost R2 million condoned by the HOD.

The Auditor General noted that the HOD did not exercise adequate oversight responsibility over the financial performance of the department, compliance with laws and regulations, as well as internal control measures.

We will wait with bated breath to see who the Premier will appoint in these crucial positions. Senior management in departments plays a critical role for efficient functioning and performance of government, it is for this reason that suitably qualified persons with adequate experience must be appointed.

The DA calls on the Premier to exercise great caution and responsibility in the appointment of the successors of the axed HOD’s. Political interference and bias should not get in the way of her placing highly qualified people, with the requisite skills, in these positions so that service delivery can flourish and corruption can come to an end.

Issued by DA