Question NW2418 to the Minister of Communications
14 November 2016 - NW2418
Van Damme, Ms PT to ask the Minister of Communications
(1) Whether a certain person (name furnished) is on her department’s payroll; if so, what (a) is the specified person’s professional designation and (b) salary does the person earn; (2) Why did her department (a) issue a press statement on 6 October 2016, distancing itself from comments made by the person who said that a certain person (name furnished) was on the right side of the Employment Equity Act, Act 55 of 1998, with regard to his qualifications and (b) subsequently withdrew the statement shortly after issuing it; (3) Whether the statement was issued with her approval; if not, what are the relevant details; if so, what is the position in this regard; (4) Whether any of her department’s staff members were disciplined for issuing the statement; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details? NW2800E
Reply:
1) No.
2) a) The statement was issued by the Media Liaison Officer (MLO) without approval by the relevant authority.
b) The MLO was directed to withdraw the statement because it had not gone through the internal approval process.
(3) The statement was not issued with the Minister’s approval.
(4) Yes, the responsible official was reprimanded.
MR NN MUNZHELELE
DIRECTOR GENERAL [ACTING]
DEPARTMENT OF COMMUNICATIONS
DATE:
MS AF MUTHAMBI (MP)
MINISTER OF COMMUNICATIONS
DATE