Question NW1491 to the Minister of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development
07 September 2020 - NW1491
Steyn, Ms A to ask the Minister of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development
What is the current status of employment of certain persons (names furnished) in the National Geomatics and Management Services of her department; (2) Whether the two specified employees faced disciplinary hearings; if not, in each case, why not; if so, what are the relevant details in each case; (3) Whether any of the two employees have been (a) suspended and/or (b) placed on a leave of absence; if so, (i) on what date was each employee suspended and/or placed on a leave of absence, (ii) on what grounds was each employee suspended and/or placed on a leave of absence and (iii) for what period was each employee suspended and/or placed on a leave of absence; (4) whether each employee is still receiving remuneration; if not, why not, in each case; if so, what are the relevant details in each case; (5) whether the two employees are still employed by her department and/or any entity reporting to her; if so, in each case, (a) in which department and/or entity is each person employed and (b) what job title does each person hold?
Reply:
1. The two officials are currently employed in the Department.
2. Yes. The two specified employees are currently facing disciplinary action:
- Chief Surveyor-General: The allegations relate to irregularities in the handling of Project Vulindlela. The matter was referred to the General Public Service Sector Bargaining Council (GPSSBC) for inquiry by the arbitrator and was set-down more than three times but did not proceed. The Department is awaiting the set-down date from the GPSSBC for the matter to proceed.
- Chief Director Cadastral Spatial Information: The allegations relate to irregularities in the handling of Project Vulindlela. The matter was referred to the GPSSBC for inquiry by the arbitrator. The Department is awaiting the set-down date from the GPSSBC for the matter to proceed.
(3)(a),(b),(i),(ii) Please refer to the table below.
Name |
a) Suspended (Yes/No) |
b) Leave of Absence (Yes/No) |
(a)(i) Date of suspension |
(a)(ii) Reasons for the suspension (type of misconduct) |
(a)(iii) Duration of suspension |
Chief Surveyor-General |
Yes |
No |
11 May 2017 |
Possible interference (irregularities in the handling of project) |
38 months (Commenced 11 May 2017 and still on suspension) |
Chief Director Cadastral Spatial Information |
Yes |
No |
10 May 2017 |
Possible interference (irregularities in the handling of project) |
38 months (Commenced 10 May 2017 and uplifted on 4 November 2019) |
4. Yes. Please refer to the table below.
Name |
Suspension with pay (Yes/No) |
Cost of suspension |
Chief Surveyor-General |
Yes |
R2 693 663.7 |
Chief Director Cadastral Spatial Information |
Yes |
R1 217 265.70 |
5. Yes.
a) The two employees are still employed by the Department in the Branch: National Geomatics and Management Services.
b) The employees hold the posts of Chief Surveyor-General and of Chief Director: Cadastral Spatial Information respectively.