No corruption here, says state ICT agency
The Universal Services and Access agency of South Africa (Usaasa) says “all is well” amid media reports of irregularities surrounding the appointment of its CEO, Zami Nkosi.
According to the Sunday Independent, Nkosi was elected CEO at Usaasa in March last year due to the interference from former communications minister, Dina Pule.
The Independent reported that the Special Investigating Unit (SIU) wants Nkosi removed amid an investigation into irregularities in the spending of public funds, and filed an application last week at the Pretoria High Court to have his appointment set aside.
According to the SIU, Nkosi’s contract is invalid because it was made under the advice and dictates of Pule when the former minister had no statutory power under the Electronic Communications Act to dictate.
The government parastatal said it “has noted with great concern” reports in one Sunday newspaper that the Special Investigating Unit [SIU] has lodged papers at Court to try and reverse the appointment of Nkosi.
“Interestingly, this newspaper has never written even a single story about the good work the agency is busy with, but gets to know decisions that affect Usaasa even before the Board and Executive of the agency is aware of,” it said.
“As a state agency that respect the rule of law, we would not like to comment on merits and de-merits of the allegations, safe to say we are disappointed at the manner the matter was handled by SIU,” Usaasa said.
“In our view, this is contrary with the procedures of this noble Investigation Agency. This action is really casting doubt in the integrity of SIU, as it seem it has entangled in a spider web designed by people who have material and political interests,” it added.
The state agency said that by its own reading of the Act, it can conclude that there was miscarriage of justice, and the process followed is contrary to what was expected from SIU.
“We however welcome this move as it provides us with an opportunity to be judged by a competent judiciary body,” Usaasa said.
“All is well at Usaasa. Work of moving South Africa forward continues until the court of law makes a finding that will make it impossible for us to operate. No amount of media reports will deter the Agency from doing its work,” it said.
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