Question NW659 to the Minister of Public Works and Infrastructure
18 March 2022 - NW659
Graham, Ms SJ to ask the Minister of Public Works and Infrastructure
(1)Whether, with reference to her reply to question 2309 on 30 November 2021, any progress has been made in finalising the disciplinary case against a certain person (name furnished) after being found to have been involved in the Beit Bridge border fence fiasco; if not, (a) what are the reasons that the disciplinary case has not been finalised and (b) by what date is it envisaged that the disciplinary case will be finalised; if so, (i) on what date was the disciplinary case finalised, (ii) what are the details of the charges the person faced and (iii) what are the details of the outcomes, including any disciplinary action taken and/or yet to be taken against the person, of each charge of the disciplinary case; (2) whether the person is/was placed on suspension while the disciplinary case is/was being finalised; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, (a) since what date has the person been on suspension, (b) what total amount in remuneration, including salary and benefits, did the person receive while on suspension, (c) on what date is it envisaged that the person’s suspension will be lifted and (d) what is the (i) name and professional designation and (ii) total remuneration, including salary and benefits, that any person received who acted in the suspended person’s position during the time of suspension?
Reply:
The Minister of Public Works and Infrastructure:
1. I requested the State Attorney to appoint the Initiator and Chairperson for the ensuing disciplinary process. An Initiator and Chairperson have been appointed by the State Attorney. The Initiator has prepared draft charges against Ms. Melissa Whitehead. I interacted with the Initiator on 9 December 2020, 27 February 2021 and 1 April 2021. I, further, met with the Initiator and State Attorney in December 2021 to finalise the charge sheet. To this end, charges have been finalised and will be presented to Ms Whitehead in due course. The reason for the delay emanates from one of the implicated officials taking the matter on review, leading to a postponement of these proceedings. I have since received legal advice that I can go ahead with the disciplinary proceedings. The charge sheet is now finalised by the Initiator and will be served on her by 30 March 2022. Hearing dates will be set for April 2022.
2. She has not been placed on suspension.