Question NW2172 to the Minister of Transport
17 July 2023 - NW2172
De Freitas, Mr MS to ask the Minister of Transport
In each month and in each case in the (a) past three financial years and (b) since 1 January 2023, (i) what number of staff have been suspended at the Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa, (ii) what amount was spent on salaries and/or any other type of remuneration on the specified staff, (iii) what are the reasons for each suspension, (iv) what are the details of each suspension that (aa) has been lifted and (bb) is still in place, (v) who is fulfilling the tasks that were performed by the suspended personnel and (vi) what are the costs associated with each suspension and the working conditions for the persons performing the functions of the suspended staff members in each case?
Reply:
(a)(i) The following numbers of employees were suspended in the months indicated below:
2021/2022
|
MONTH |
(i) |
(ii) |
(iii) |
(iv) |
(v) |
(vi) |
|
April 2021 |
3 |
R19 445 569,25 |
Procurement-related irregularities |
Case 1: Matter awaiting outcome of arbitration at CCMA. |
No acting incumbent |
N/A |
|
Case 2: Disciplinary hearing postponed sine die pending a legal opinion. |
No acting incumbent |
|||||
|
Case 3: Hearing continued in June 2023. |
No acting incumbent |
|||||
|
August 2021 |
1 |
R3 267 486,60 |
Gross negligence |
Hearing pending due to unavailability of witness from SCM |
Person Acting |
|
|
January 2022 |
2 |
R4 768 846,14 |
Case1: Unfair disqualification of bidder who scored the highest points resulting in an incorrect award. |
Employee found guilty on all charges on 12 May 2023. Awaiting date from Chairperson for evidence in mitigation and aggravation. |
No acting incumbent |
|
|
Case2: Gross Negligence, Gross Deereliction of Duty |
Charges finalised , hearing date 16-01-2023 |
Acting incumbent |
||||
|
February 2022 |
2 |
R6 440 994,70 |
Case 1: Dereliction of duty; dishonesty Case 2: Gross misconduct, contravening PFMA and breaching company policy |
Case 1: Forensic investigation is yet to be undertaken. |
No acting incumbent |
|
|
Case 2: Awaiting dates for continuation of hearing. |
No acting incumbent |
|||||
|
March 2022 |
1 |
R453 000,00 |
Threatening behaviour, inciting violence and false allegations |
Suspension has been extended. Employee charged - pending disciplinary hearing. Hearing scheduled 13-14 March 2023. |
No acting incumbent |
N/A |
|
2022/2023 FINANCIAL YEAR |
||||||
|
June 2022 |
1 |
R1 636 690,00 |
Contrevenion of Recruit/Selection policy |
Investigation finalised Line to advise on way forward |
Acting incumbent |
|
|
July 2022 |
1 |
R2 001 725,80 |
Misconduct |
Employee being engaged for mutual separation |
Acting incumbent |
|
|
August 2022 |
1 |
R345 792,44 |
Gross misconduct |
Investigation in progress |
Acting incumbent |
R26712.98 |
|
September 2022 |
2 |
R2 168 423,00 |
Case 1: Investigation ongoing |
Attorneys in process of drafting charges for new evidence submitted |
No acting incumbent |
N/A |
|
Case 2: Investigation ongoing |
RFQ for forensic investigation to be finalised |
No acting incumbent |
N/A |
|||
|
October 2022 |
4 |
R2 977 716,96 |
Case1: under investigation |
Forensic investigation in progress |
Person appointed on fixed term contract |
|
|
Case2: Insubordination and gross misconduct |
Matter was held on 31 March 2023 and awaiting new date from the Chairperson |
No acting incumbent |
N/A |
|||
|
Case3: Misconduct |
Investigation ongoing awaiting report |
No acting incumbent |
N/A |
|||
|
Case4: Misuse of Company Vehicle |
Disciplinary finalized awaiting verdict |
No acting incumbent |
N/A |
|||
|
November 2022 |
3 |
R1 897 216,50 |
Case1: Gross negligence and insubordination |
Closing arguments were made on 21 April 2023. Awaiting Chairperson's ruling. |
Acting incumbent |
|
|
Case2: Charges to be confirmed |
Awaiting final investigation report from Protection Services. |
Acting incumbent |
||||
|
Case3: Theft of identity |
Pending - Awaiting appointment of initiator |
No acting incumbent |
||||
|
2023 CALENDAR YEAR TO DATE |
||||||
|
February 2023 |
3 |
R157 031,28 |
Fraud, theft and gross dishonesty |
Hearing was held on 30 May 2023. Plea bargain was entered into. Employer revoked the plea bargain and aggravated for dismissal. Awaiting employees to resubmit mitigating evidence. |
No acting incumbent |
|
|
Fraud, theft and gross dishonesty |
Hearing was held on 30 May 2023. Plea bargain was entered into. Employer revoked the plea bargain and aggravated for dismissal. Awaiting employees to resubmit mitigating evidence. |
No acting incumbent |
||||
|
Fraud, theft and gross dishonesty |
Hearing was held on 30 May 2023. Plea bargain was entered into. Employer revoked the plea bargain and aggravated for dismissal. Awaiting employees to resubmit mitigating evidence. |
No acting incumbent |
||||
|
March 2023 |
5 |
R155 030,38 |
Absence without leave |
Employee was served with suspension letter on 24 March 2023 pending investigation |
||
|
Assault |
Awaiting investigation report |
|||||
|
Serious Misconduct |
Investigations is being carried out. Pending the outcome of investigations |
|||||
|
Theft |
Employee charged criminally, out on bail. |
|||||
|
Theft |
Employee charged criminally, out on bail. |
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