The Democratic Alliance (DA) says that the Department of Transport and its entities have spent R24 million over the last three financial years on full salaries to suspended employees.
The information was detailed in reply to a parliamentary question which revealed that more than 130 employees have been suspended in the various 10 transport related departments over the past three years.
The DA noted that this figure is likely to rise substantially as the Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa (Prasa) was not included.
Earlier this year, Public Protector Thuli Madonsela released a report which detailed massive maladministration at the state-owned entity.
Prasa has since seen its CEO, Lucky Montana, sacked, while chief engineer Daniel Mtimkulu, resigned in July after he was accused of faking his degree.
The Department of Transport has 12 entities reporting to it, nine of which are listed below
| # | Department | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Road Accident Fund | R7 871 000.00 |
| 2 | Air Traffic and Navigation Services | R5 045 465.00 |
| 3 | Cross Border Road Transport Agency Limited | R3 621 545.00 |
| 4 | Airports South Africa SOC Limited | R3 466 239.61 |
| 5 | Department of Transport | R1 999 080.41 |
| 6 | South African Civil Aviation Authority | R831 931.08 |
| 7 | Railway Safety Regulator | R558 925.10 |
| 8 | Road Traffic Infringement Agency | R261 541.15 |
| 9 | South African Maritime Safety Authority | R145 006.42 |
| 10 | Roads Traffic Management Corporation | R112 908.71 |
| Total: | R23 913 642.48 |
The South African National Roads Agency Limited (Sanral) and the Ports Regulator South Africa reported no suspensions in the last three financial years.
Manny de Freitas, DA Shadow Minister of Transport, said that Prasa is conspicuous in its absence and no information was given on how many employees have been suspended on full pay in the last three years.
“It is possible that the figures will be high and that the Minister is reluctant to reveal just how much is being spent this way.
“It is well know that Prasa is in disarray. Earlier this year the Public Protector, Adv. Madonsela, found that tender contracts to the value of R355 million had been improperly awarded The entity also improperly incurred an over expenditure of R523 792 767,” de Freitas said.
The DA said it will write to Minister of Transport, Dipuo Peters, to compel her to release the information for Prasa.
The Road Accident Fund (RAF) spent nearly R8 million on suspended employees – 9 in 2012/13, 20 employees in 2013/14, and 10 employees in the 2014/15 financial years.
In the case for Airports South Africa SOC Limited, it suspended 9 people in 2012/13, for an average of three months, 19 people during 2013/14, and 34 people during 2014/15 at a cost of R2.3 million.
Among the reasons for disciplinary action included:
- Assault
- Breach of policy
- Collusion
- Concealment of information
- Damage to property
- Desertion of post
- Dishonesty
- Embezzlement of funds
- Forging of sick note
- Fraud
- Gross negligence and/or Competence, violation of policy
- Illegal micro lending
- Misuse of property
- Non-disclosure of criminal record
- Sleeping on duty
- Theft
- Use of foul and insulting language
Two cases at the South African Civil Aviation Authority, involved serious misconduct relating to misrepresentation of qualifications, along with acts of Serious Misconduct and unethical conduct when doing inspection and audit.
South African Maritime Safety Authority reported acts of incitement, fraud, gross dishonesty, and assault.
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