Usaasa suspends senior staffer for alleged corruption
The Universal Services and Access Agency of South Africa (Usaasa) has confirmed that one of its senior staff members has been suspended.
Usaasa did not say who the staff member was.
Usaasa is the state owned entity tasked with implementing universal ICT access obligations in under-serviced areas.
The suspension follows allegations of corruption and maladministration against the member concerned.
The member is accused of, among others, the following:
- Using personal information of board members to make personal travel arrangements;
- Using personal information of board members and other senior members to make reservations at various hotels across the country;
- Using information of a different government agency to book a vehicle. This act has resulted in the said member being criminally charged;
- Passing confidential information of the Agency to third parties;
- Using Agency electronic equipment to produce pornographic material; and
- Using the electronic signature of the Board Chairperson, Mrs. Pumla Radebe, to solicit loan to purchase a vehicle.
“These allegations border on Financial Misconduct, which is a very serious offence. In this regard, the Agency elected to put this member precautionary suspension pending outcomes of the investigation,” Usaasa said.
The group said it will continue to investigate further allegations levelled against the member concerned.
Further, the Agency said it is cooperating with the Public Protector in the investigation of one of its staff members on a separate case, where the staff member is accused of:
- Possibly being an illegal immigrant from Namibia;
- Being in possession of fake Matric certificate from Namibia; and
- Being irregularly employed without proper procedures and qualification.
“This staff member has been occupying senior positions within the Agency for a number of years, and was responsible for verifying qualifications of other staff members,” the group said.
The Agency said that efforts to get the staff member to provide her proof of her citizenship and qualifications have been in vain for a number of months.
The probe
The Special Investigation Unit (SIU) was tasked with conducting a probe into Usaasa, after claims were made of widespread corruption at the agency.
The probe is looking into allegations of serious maladministration in connection with the affairs of Usaasa and its board, including:
- Improper or unlawful conduct by employees;
- Unlawful appropriation or expenditure of public money or property;
- Unlawful, irregular or unapproved acquisitive act, transaction, measure or practice having a bearing upon State property;
- Intentional or negligent loss of public money or damage to public property;
- Maladministration in relation to the recruitment process which resulted in the appointment of the CEO in 2013.
The probe is ongoing.
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