Question NW685 to the Minister of Telecommunications and Postal Services
27 March 2018 - NW685
Bergman, Mr D to ask the Minister of Telecommunications and Postal Services
Whether any (a) disciplinary and/or (b) legal steps have been taken against any (i) employee or (ii) former employee for their role in the Media Corner matter; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details of (aa) steps taken against individuals, (bb) their job titles, (cc) charges laid, (dd) outcomes to date and (ee) relevant punishment in each case?
Reply:
The Department has informed me as follows:
a) Yes,
b) No
(i) Yes, disciplinary proceedings were instituted against employees who served as members of the Departmental Bid Evaluation Committee (DBEC) and the Departmental Bid Adjudication Committee (DBAC).
(ii) No. Disciplinary action was not taken against former employees as the Department lacks jurisdiction over the former employees who are no longer employed in the Public Service.
(aa) The disciplinary hearings against employees are still pending.
(bb) DBAC members: four (4) Directors and DBEC members: A Chief Director, a Deputy Director and an Assistant Director
(cc) The charges levelled against the members of the DBEC:
- Failure to evaluate bids against the minimum qualifying score for the functionality in order to assess bids.
- Failure in its recommendation, to the DBAC to deal with the application of the preference point system in relation to the bidder being recommended to the DBAC.
- Failure to evaluate the bids of the shortlisted bidders with reference to the same standard.
The charges levelled against the members of the DBAC
- Failed to discharge its duties diligently;
- Acted contrary to the provisions of the Supply Chain Policy;
- Approved terms of references that did not allow for an acquisition of services that was fair, competitive, equitable or cost effective; and
- Prejudiced the department by approving the appointment of Media Corner on terms contrary to the terms of reference.
(dd) The disciplinary hearings are pending except for one that had been finalised.
(ee) A sanction of suspension for two months without pay has been imposed and implemented by the Department for the employee whose disciplinary hearing was finalised. The rest of the disciplinary hearings are still pending.
Approved/ not approved
Dr Siyabonga Cwele, MP
Minister of Telecommunications and Postal Services
Date: