Communications director general placed on precautionary suspension
Director general in the Department of Telecommunications and Postal Services (DTPS) Rosey Sekese has been placed on precautionary suspension.
Minister of Telecommunications and Postal Services Siyabonga Cwele said on 3 August that leadership problems causing “paralysis” at the department would be investigated.
Cwele said he is “attending to the ongoing leadership challenges which are negatively impacting the department’s ability to execute its functions timeously”.
In particular, Cwele said he would consider placing the department’s Sekese on a “precautionary leave of absence” amid the probe.
Reports have claimed that Sekese is purging the department of those who oppose her.
A statement released by the DTPS on 7 August stated that Cwele had received written representations from Sekese as to why she should not be placed on precautionary suspension.
“After considering the reasons and applying his mind, Minister Cwele has decided to place the director general on precautionary suspension for a period of 60 days while the Public Service Commission conducts its independent inquiry.”
“The Minister has accordingly appointed Tinyiko Ngobeni as the Acting Director General until further notice.”
Sekese was placed on special leave in 2013, following a spat with former Communications Minister Dina Pule.
It emerged last week that the government ministry lost its third deputy director general in five months. Sam Vilakazi resigned after Sekese fired Themba Phiri and Gift Buthelezi. Sekese reportedly sent Buthelezi a notification of his dismissal via SMS.
Subsequently, only two of the ministry’s six departments now have a deputy director general in charge, according to the DA.
Vilakazi, Phiri, and Buthelezi were all also reportedly facing internal disciplinary hearings regarding a R756-million digital migration media tender, which is being investigated by the Special Investigating Unit.
But question marks also hang over Sekese’s role in the controversial tender, with departmental insiders saying she is using the SIU investigation as a reason to purge those who oppose her.
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