Presidency allows suspended DGs to languish at home at a massive cost of R10,5 million to tax payers

12 March 2024

While the average South African tax payer has been battling to make ends meet and to put food on the table, the President has allowed 5 suspended Director Generals (DGs) to languish at home at a massive cost of R10,5 million to the South African tax payer.

This astonishing revelation was made in a written reply, by the Presidency, to a DA Parliamentary question on the total number of DGs that were on suspension with full pay in the 2020/21; 2021/22; and 2022/23 financial years. The reply identifies a total of 5 DGs as having been on suspension with full pay, for the financial years under review, including the DGs for Public Enterprises and International Relations.

Further according to the reply, the DG who has been on suspension for the longest period of time, was the DG for Public Works and Infrastructure who was on suspension for 2 whole years, from July 2020 to July 2022.

The reply from the Presidency also reveals that the DG for Defence and Military Veterans was suspended in March 2023 and continues, to this day, to remain on suspension with full pay.

Also of importance the reply states that all 5 DGs, identified, were placed on suspension for allegations relating to misconduct.

Given that the career incidents of DGs are handled by the President in terms of section 12 of the Public Service Act, the DA calls on President Ramaphosa to finalise the ongoing disciplinary case of the DG for Defence and Military Veterans for the sake of the already burdened taxpayer. It is simply not fair that time and again, the South African taxpayer is expected to shoulder the financial burden of President Ramaphosa’s failing and ailing public administration.

Text of reply:

NATIONAL ASSEMBLY

QUESTION FOR WRITTEN REPLY

THURSDAY, 8 FEBRUARY 2024

DUE DATE: 23 FEBRUARY 2024

60. Dr M M Gondwe (DA) to ask the President:

(1) What total number of (a) Heads of Department (HODs) and (b) Directors-General (DGs) were on suspension with full pay in the (i) 2020-21, (ii) 2021-22 and (iii) 2022-23 financial years and (c) in which department were the suspended HODs and/or DGs employed in each case;

(2) what (a) were the reasons for the suspension in each case and (b) was the duration of the suspension and (c) total amount was paid in salaries for the duration of their suspension?

NW61E

REPLY

In the 2020-2021 financial year, three (3) Directors-General were placed on suspension with full pay:

-   Public Service Commission: August 2020 to December 2020

-   Public Works and Infrastructure: July 2020 to July 2022

-   International Relations and Cooperation: February 2021 to September 2021

In each case the reason for the suspension was investigation into misconduct allegations.

In the 2021-2022 financial year, no Director-General was placed on suspension.

In the 2022-2023 financial year, two (2) Directors-General were placed on suspension with full pay:

-   Defence and Military Veterans: March 2023 to date

-   Public Enterprises: June 2022 until May 2023

In both cases the reason for the suspension was investigation into misconduct allegations.

The total amount paid to the Directors-General placed on suspension in the financial years 2020-2021, 2021-2022 and 2022-2023 is R10 533 280.71.

The salaries paid to the Directors-General while on suspension are due and payable by virtue of the country’s labour laws.

The career incidents of the HoDs/DGs referred to above are handled by the President in terms of Section 12 of the Public Service Act, 1994. Career incidents of the Heads of Department at provincial departments are handled by relevant Premiers in terms of Section 12 of the Public Service Act, 1994, and as such the Presidency does not have information on the suspension of the HODs at the Provincial government.

ENDS

Issued by Mimmy Gondwe, DA Shadow Miniter of Public Enterprises, 12 March 2024