Question NW310 to the Minister of Environmental Affairs
14 March 2017 - NW310
Hadebe, Mr TZ to ask the Minister of Environmental Affairs
(1) Will she institute disciplinary action against the Board Members of the South African Weather Service (SAWS) found to have been involved in a certain tender (details furnished); if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details? (2) whether she will be investigating a case of alleged fraud surrounding a radar project that the suspended Chief Financial Officer (CFO) of the SAWS brought to the SAWS’ Chief Executive Officer (CEO) prior to the CFO’s suspension; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details?
Reply:
1. A complaint was received by the Presidential Hotline on 20 November 2016 relating to Performance Management at theSouth African Weather Service (SAWS) specifically relating to the 2014/15 performance assessment period. The allegations included the following:
a) Unlawful powers of the Executive Committee to change moderated performance scores;
b) Unilateral correction of scores
c) Implementation of performance-based salary increases.
The allegations were referred to the Board of SAWS for further investigation on 28 January 2016.
OMA Chartered Accountants Incorporated (OMA) was appointed to conduct an investigation into allegations made by the complainant. No Board members were involved in the appointment of OMA. The recommendations in the OMA report have been implemented.
2. A senior manager of SAWS brought allegations to the Board, on the matter of the guarantee for the radars. A preliminary analysis has revealed no irregularity. Further investigation is underway.