KHUMALO REPORT RELEASED

Issued by: Gauteng Provincial Government

16 January 1998

KHUMALO REPORT RELEASED

The Outgoing Gauteng Premier, Mr Tokyo Sexwale presented the report of the Khumalo Commission to the Gauteng Cabinet on Friday.

The Commission was appointed by the Premier last year to investigate allegations of misconduct made against the Vincent Mntambo.

The Commission had one member, Mr Bongani Khumalo

The main findings of the report are

• There are no sufficient grounds to justify a case of misconduct against the Director General.
• There was no plan to oust Mr Mntambo and replace him with Transport MEC Paul Mashatile so as to "contain" Premier - Elect Motshekga when he takes office.

However the Commission expressed serious concern about the Director General's dysfunctional relationship with the political leadership and certain employees of the Provincial Government. It found that his objectivity had become impaired as a result of the severe breakdown of trust and mutual respect.

The Commission found there were elements of tardiness, negligence, dereliction of duty and even insurbodination on the part of the Director General.

It recommends that the situation cannot and should not be tolerated and warrants urgent decisive action.

The Commission concluded that: "Efforts be made to improve the alignment of the Director General with the objectives, priorities and needs of his political principals, positioning him in such a way that he provides effective and efficient management systems to support and promote the political programme of his government. In the event of such a synergy not being realised and the Director General remaining incompatible with his employers, the Public Service Commission will have to be approached for guidance which could lead to a negotiated separation arrangement of some kind. (The investigation takes a dim view to a situation of the highest executive officer of a government with vast positional influence not enjoying the trust, confidence and respect of all his principals and he not exhibiting much trust and respect for a good number of his seniors. It considers this a recipe for managerial failure which could threaten an otherwise well run provincial government)"

The Provincial Cabinet today noted the contents of the report and accepted them. The taking of appropriate decisive action has been referred to the incoming Premier, Dr Mathole Motshekga.

Formore information contact Sefako Nyaka 082-5700-839

Issued by Sefako Nyaka Press Secretary Office of the Premier Gauteng Province 30 Simmonds Street Johannesburg 2000 16 January 1998