Question NW3892 to the Minister of Public Service and Administration
06 December 2023 - NW3892
Gondwe, Dr M to ask the Minister of Public Service and Administration
(1)What is the outcome of the investigation into the illegal appointment of a certain person (details furnished) in 2021; (2) (a) who funded the international trip to Doha in Qatar where Prof H Khunoethe and the specified director-general jointly presented a paper they allegedly co-authored in October 2023 and (b) in what capacity did they present the specified paper; (3) who approved the secondment of Prof H Khunoethe at (a) the KwaZulu-Natal Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs and (b) Public Service and Administration?
Reply:
1. The Public Service Commission investigated a complaint in relation to the appointment, in 2021, of a certain person into the post of Personal Assistant to the Director-General and found no irregularity or illegality in the appointment. The investigation into the allegation concluded that the allegation was unsubstantiated.
(2) (a) The Department of Public Service and Administration funded the trip in respect of the Director-General only.
(b) The Director-General received an invite from conference organisers to present at the main plenary of the conference with the title of the paper: “Developmental States and Professionalization of the Public Administration and Public Policy for Developmental States: The South African Case”. Furthermore, the Director-General contributed in the development of an academic paper submitted for joint presentation, however it was ultimately presented by Prof Halima Khunoethe who is a public servant with academic interests and pursuits.
(3) (a) The Acting Member of the Executive Committee: KwaZulu-Natal Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs; and
(b) The Acting Minister for the Public Service and Administration.
End