Question NW3650 to the Minister of Transport
01 December 2015 - NW3650
De Freitas, Mr MS to ask the Minister of Transport
(a) How many persons have been suspended with full pay within (i) her department and (ii) all entities reporting to her in the (aa) 2012-13, (bb) 2013-14 and (cc) 14-15 financial years and (b) in each specified case, what (i) is the value of these payments for each month by (aa) her department and (bb) all entities reporting to her, (ii) are the reasons for (aa) these suspensions and (bb) the delay in resolving these matters, (iii) is being done to resolve these matters and (iv) are the reasons to suspend persons with full pay?
Reply:
Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa (PRASA)
(a) (i) see attached spreadsheet for number of employees suspended per financial year and per month
(b) see attached spreadsheet for value of payments per month in each financial year
( aa) the reasons are largely various misconduct cases that require intense investigations
(bb) The reasons for the delay in each of the 45 cases can be attributed to shortage of investigating staff, interference by Trade unions and availability of competent presiding officials within the business.
- (iii) to address the delays, PRASA is looking at contracting external resources to assist chair the hearings and workshops are ongoing with Trade unions to embrace the culture of discipline. With regards to investigations, engagements are ongoing since most of the complex investigations arise out of whistle-blowing.
(bb) (iv) The reason PRASA paid people whilst suspended is in compliance with Labour Legislation that suspensions should be with Full Pay until the case has been resolved.