DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING DIRECTOR-GENERAL
23 May 1997
In response to media queries regarding whether the Minister of Housing Sankie Mthembi-Mahanyele had discussed the intended resignation of her Director-General with Deputy President Thabo Mbeki this Office places on record that:
1. The hiring, firing or resignation of any Director-General is handled by the Minister concerned and the Department of Public Service and Administration. Mr Billy Cobbett has been no exception to this practice;
2. Deputy President Mbeki was not involved in the discussions around Mr Billy Cobbett's intended resignation;
3. We are puzzled as to why these reports are so keen to entangle the Deputy President in this matter, to the extent of discovering a non-existent special relationship between himself, the Minister and Dr Thandi Ndlovu.
Issued by: Ricky Naidoo , Deputy Director: Communications, Tel: 083 555 5189
Issued by: Office of the Executive Deputy President T.M. Mbeki