Question NW60 to the President
06 March 2024 - NW60
Gondwe, Dr M to ask the President
(1)What total number of (a) Heads of Department (HODs) and (b) Directors-General (DGs) were on suspension with full pay in the (i) 2020-21, (ii) 2021-22 and (iii) 2022-23 financial years and (c) in which department were the suspended HODs and/or DGs employed in each case; 2) what (a) were the reasons for the suspension in each case and (b) was the duration of the suspension and (c) total amount was paid in salaries for the duration of their suspension?
Reply:
In the 2020-2021 financial year, three (3) Directors-General were placed on suspension with full pay:
- Public Service Commission: August 2020 to December 2020
- Public Works and Infrastructure: July 2020 to July 2022
- International Relations and Cooperation: February 2021 to September 2021
In each case the reason for the suspension was investigation into misconduct allegations.
In the 2021-2022 financial year, no Director-General was placed on suspension.
In the 2022-2023 financial year, two (2) Directors-General were placed on suspension with full pay:
- Defence and Military Veterans: March 2023 to date
- Public Enterprises: June 2022 until May 2023
In both cases the reason for the suspension was investigation into misconduct allegations.
The total amount paid to the Directors-General placed on suspension in the financial years 2020-2021, 2021-2022 and 2022-2023 is R10 533 280.71.
The salaries paid to the Directors-General while on suspension are due and payable by virtue of the country’s labour laws.
The career incidents of the HoDs/DGs referred to above are handled by the President in terms of Section 12 of the Public Service Act, 1994. Career incidents of the Heads of Department at provincial departments are handled by relevant Premiers in terms of Section 12 of the Public Service Act, 1994, and as such the Presidency does not have information on the suspension of the HODs at the Provincial government.