After 60 days they can apply to have their suspensions overturned. THE Eastern Cape government has at least 60 officials sitting at home suspended on full pay – one who has been off for 39 months and another for more than a year.
Daily Dispatch
Daily Dispatch
At least 50 have been suspended for more than the 60-day limit, with their combined salaries costing more than R20-million a year.
According to labour law expert Denver Brandt, in terms of the public service disciplinary code investigations must be conducted and hearings held within 60 days, after which employees can apply to have the suspension overturned.
A Daily Dispatch examination of Bhisho government departments reveals that close to 60 civil servants, including a deputy directorgeneral and two general managers, are being paid huge salaries for doing nothing.
Not all departments provided detailed answers. Some have put people to act in their positions, further increasing the salary bill.
Provincial planning and treasury has had a deputy director-general on fully paid suspension since September 20. The official earns more than R1.1-million a year.
Social development has two senior officials on suspension – general supply chain manager Joyce Msuthu, who earns close to R1-million a year, and senior supply chain manager Simon Mzana (R800 000).
In June the Dispatch reported on the suspension of Office of the Premier’s Nomathemba Mbethe, who is responsible for Premier Noxolo Kiviet’s outreach programme.
Mbethe, a general manager, earns nearly R1-million a year.
She has been on suspension for more than three months.
According to the report, directorgeneral Mbulelo Sogoni contracted two audit firms – Deloitte & Touche and KPMG – to investigate graft allegations involving Mbethe. But approached this week, OTP spokesman Mxolisi Spondo said:
“I cannot confirm or deny Mbethe’s suspension.”
11072013
In the Bhisho legislature, two senior managers have been placed on suspension in the past two months.
Information technology head Mbulelo Matokazi, who earns close to R800 000 a year, was suspended last month after purchasing R400 000 worth of computer software without proper authorisation. Human resources manager Tembisa Mpako, who also earns close to R800 000 a year, was suspended for a month and has just returned to work.
The department of agrarian reform and rural development has two employees on suspension on charges relating to financial misconduct and gross insubordination.
Both earn more than R200 000 a year. One has been suspended for 39 months, the other two months.
“They are receiving salaries,” department spokesman Ayabulela Ngoqo confirmed.
The health department accounts for the highest number of suspended officials, with 39.
Health spokesman Sizwe Kupelo said 36 are emergency services (EMS) personnel who embarked on an unprotected strike late last year.
“These cases are being dealt with by Wesley Pretorius & Associates and relate to acts of intimidation or harassment during an unprotected strike,” he said.
EMS officials earn an estimated R300 000 each a year, which amounts to R11-million a year when combined.
The remaining three cases in health are two cases of fraud and one of theft in O R Tambo.
The education department has seven on suspension, most charged with fraud, procurement irregularities and dereliction of duty.
“They have all been off for over three months – the delay in finalising their cases is due to factors such as non-availability of the presiding officer, depth and seriousness of the case and the investigation of the case,” department spokesman Loyiso Pulumani said.
Local government and traditional affairs has suspended three employees since June 2013.
The transport department has three officials on suspension, charged with assault, bribery and fraud.
http://www.dispatch.co.za/millions-for-idle-officials/
Daily Dispatch
Daily Dispatch
At least 50 have been suspended for more than the 60-day limit, with their combined salaries costing more than R20-million a year.
According to labour law expert Denver Brandt, in terms of the public service disciplinary code investigations must be conducted and hearings held within 60 days, after which employees can apply to have the suspension overturned.
A Daily Dispatch examination of Bhisho government departments reveals that close to 60 civil servants, including a deputy directorgeneral and two general managers, are being paid huge salaries for doing nothing.
Not all departments provided detailed answers. Some have put people to act in their positions, further increasing the salary bill.
Provincial planning and treasury has had a deputy director-general on fully paid suspension since September 20. The official earns more than R1.1-million a year.
Social development has two senior officials on suspension – general supply chain manager Joyce Msuthu, who earns close to R1-million a year, and senior supply chain manager Simon Mzana (R800 000).
In June the Dispatch reported on the suspension of Office of the Premier’s Nomathemba Mbethe, who is responsible for Premier Noxolo Kiviet’s outreach programme.
Mbethe, a general manager, earns nearly R1-million a year.
She has been on suspension for more than three months.
According to the report, directorgeneral Mbulelo Sogoni contracted two audit firms – Deloitte & Touche and KPMG – to investigate graft allegations involving Mbethe. But approached this week, OTP spokesman Mxolisi Spondo said:
“I cannot confirm or deny Mbethe’s suspension.”
11072013
In the Bhisho legislature, two senior managers have been placed on suspension in the past two months.
Information technology head Mbulelo Matokazi, who earns close to R800 000 a year, was suspended last month after purchasing R400 000 worth of computer software without proper authorisation. Human resources manager Tembisa Mpako, who also earns close to R800 000 a year, was suspended for a month and has just returned to work.
The department of agrarian reform and rural development has two employees on suspension on charges relating to financial misconduct and gross insubordination.
Both earn more than R200 000 a year. One has been suspended for 39 months, the other two months.
“They are receiving salaries,” department spokesman Ayabulela Ngoqo confirmed.
The health department accounts for the highest number of suspended officials, with 39.
Health spokesman Sizwe Kupelo said 36 are emergency services (EMS) personnel who embarked on an unprotected strike late last year.
“These cases are being dealt with by Wesley Pretorius & Associates and relate to acts of intimidation or harassment during an unprotected strike,” he said.
EMS officials earn an estimated R300 000 each a year, which amounts to R11-million a year when combined.
The remaining three cases in health are two cases of fraud and one of theft in O R Tambo.
The education department has seven on suspension, most charged with fraud, procurement irregularities and dereliction of duty.
“They have all been off for over three months – the delay in finalising their cases is due to factors such as non-availability of the presiding officer, depth and seriousness of the case and the investigation of the case,” department spokesman Loyiso Pulumani said.
Local government and traditional affairs has suspended three employees since June 2013.
The transport department has three officials on suspension, charged with assault, bribery and fraud.
http://www.dispatch.co.za/millions-for-idle-officials/
