Question NW358 to the Minister in the Presidency
10 June 2022 - NW358
Gondwe, Dr M to ask the Minister in the Presidency
(1) What (a) number of heads of department (HODs) are currently on suspension with full pay in each provincial department and (b) are the reasons for suspension in each case; (2) (a) for how long has each HOD been on suspension with full pay and (b) at what cost to the tax payer of the Republic?
Reply:
The Office of the Premier: Northern Cape
1. (a) Mr. R Palm, the HoD of Northern Cape Sports, Arts and Culture is suspended.
(b) Mr. Palm is facing charges relating to fraud.
2. (a) Mr. R. Palm has been on suspension since September 2020.
(b) An amount of R R2 014 340.00 has been paid to Mr. Palm since his suspension.
The Office of the Premier: KwaZulu Natal
1. (a) Dr GG Sharpley, the HoD of KwaZulu-Natal Public Works is on precautionary suspension.
(b) Dr GG Sharpley is facing charges relating to allegation of misconduct regarding the appointment of the consultant compliance officer. His continuous precautionary suspension is due to the fact that during the recent proceedings the Presiding Officer made a ruling in favour the Employer following the point in limine his legal representative had raised.
2. (a) Dr GG Sharpley, has been on suspension since November 2020.
(b) An amount of R2, 346,238.00 has been paid to Dr GG Sharpley since his suspension.
The Office of the Premier: Free State
1. (a) Mr N Mokhesi, the HoD of Free State Human Settlements is on precautionary suspension.
(b) Mr N Mokhesi is facing charges relating to misconduct – tender irregularities
2. (a) Mr N Mokhesi, has been on suspension since June 2020.
(b) An amount of R3 412,484,00 has been paid to Mr N Mokhesi since his suspension.
The Office of the Premier: Free State
1. (a) Mr SS Mtakati, the HoD of Free State Sport, Arts, Culture & Recreation is on precautionary suspension.
(b) Mr SS Mtakati is facing charges relating to misconduct – tender irregularities
2. (a) Mr SS Mtakati, has been on suspension since May 2021.
(b) An amount of R1 978 533, 00 has been paid to Mr SS Mtakati since his suspension
The Office of the Premier: Mpumalanga
1. (a) Mr K Masange, the HoD of Mpumalanga Human Settlements is on suspension.
(b) Mr K Masange is facing charges relating to gross negligence
2. (a) Mr K Masange, has been on suspension since April 2021.
(b) An amount of RR1 308 568,15 has been paid to Mr K Masange since his suspension.
The Office of the Premier: Mpumalanga
1. (a) Ms BS Nkuna, the HoD of Mpumalanga Community Safety, Security and Liaison is on suspension.
(b) Ms BS Nkuna is facing charges relating to serious offence
2. (a) Ms BS Nkuna, has been on suspension since June 2021.
(b) An amount of R1 196 064, 31 has been paid to Ms BS Nkuna since her suspension.
The DPME received the following responses from provincial Offices of the Premiers with regards the DGs and or HoDs on suspension.
a) Limpopo, Western Cape and Gauteng indicated that there are no DG’s nor HoD’s on suspension, as a result the provinces submit a nil report to the afore-mentioned question as raised by the National Assembly.
b) Eastern Cape and North West – None
Thank You.