Gauteng department accused of bias as CFO faces prosecution while DDG stays at work

IOL News

7 days ago

Gauteng MEC Jacob Mamabolo has downplayed accusations that there is bias in his office.
Image: Bongani Shilubane / Independent Newspapers
The Gauteng Department of Infrastructure and Development faces renewed scrutiny, accused of bias for spending over R5 million to prosecute a Chief Financial Officer (CFO) who has been suspended with pay for more than a year.
Meanwhile, a deputy director-general (DDG) facing more serious charges remains at work without suspension.
The CFO, whose name is known to the publication, is undergoing a disciplinary process for insubordination, dereliction of duty, and absenteeism. Meanwhile, the DDG, whose name is known to the publication, remains at work despite facing more severe charges.
These charges include gross misconduct, maladministration, and financial misconduct related to the controversial Mayibuye Primary School project in Tembisa.
The project had been plagued by delays, cost overruns, and corruption allegations.
According to a leaked charge sheet, the DDG is accused of causing the improper construction of the school without conducting a wetland study, leading to undue delays and cost overruns.
The department allegedly incurred costs of R10,060,519.73 due to the contractor's standing time from December 2018 to March 2020.
The DDG is also accused of irregularly appointing a contractor without going through a separate tender process for the construction of a smart school.
The charge sheet states that the DDG's conduct was unwarranted, unacceptable, and prejudicial to the administration, discipline, and efficiency of the employer.
However, his disciplinary hearing comes with additional controversy, with some DID employees saying he is attending the hearing while he is still at work.
The publication has previously reported that the department's CFO had been charged in a different matter but was suspended from attending work, while the DDG is treated differently.
A source in a senior position within the department, who spoke on condition of anonymity in case of reprisals, said officials within the department were questioning why this was the case.
'It's politics of favouritism that borders on near corruption at play here because how come a person (CFO) has to stay so long outside of work while another (DDG) is charged with even bigger charges but comes to the office as if nothing is happening?... It shows that it's selective... and it's a matter that is spoken about in the corridors every day,' the source said.
Department spokesperson Theo Nkonki did not respond to questions sent to him; however, he referred them to department MEC Jacob Mamabolo, who played down the accusations.
'As far as I know, the department is handling the situation of the DDG, and investigations that will be reported to me afterwards are ongoing. The matter is being dealt with and there is no crisis… we should leave the matter to be investigated so we can move on from there,' Mamabolo said.
Responding to the matter of the CFO and whether the DDG was going to be suspended, Mamabolo said that the case was also ongoing, and it was the prerogative of the employer to suspend the DDG if they felt that he would interfere with the investigation.
Although it was not clear what the status of the CFO's case was, sources confirmed that it was ongoing and had already cost taxpayers R5 million.
The charges against the DDG come after a report by the Public Protector, Kholeka Gcaleka, found irregularities and maladministration in the construction of the school.
The report found the school was built on a wetland, endangering the lives of learners and staff members.
Build One South Africa (Bosa) at the time welcomed the report and is calling for the recovery of the R82 million spent on the project.
Bosa leader Mmusi Maimane had lodged a complaint with the Public Protector in 2020, highlighting the irregularities and corruption surrounding the project.
Bosa member of the Gauteng provincial legislature, Ayanda Allie, had written to the office of Premier Panyaza Lesufi, requesting that he delegate a task force team to recover the squandered funds.
Allie said that Lesufi's task force will aid in recovering missing funds and holding officials accountable for scrupulous conduct.
'We are of the view that the remedial action is flimsy and deficient and illustrates how far this matter is away from being settled. All effort must be made to recover the funds spent otherwise, shady contractors and compromised government employees get away scot-free,' Allie said.
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