Communications minister Siphiwe Nyanda has dismissed allegations in a newspaper report that he is planning to suspend department director-general Mamodupi Mohlala as “false, spurious and malicious”.
Nyanda’s spokesman Tiyani Rikhotso says in a statement that the minister “exercises political oversight over the department and gives it policy direction in line with his statutory and constitutional mandate”.
The minister “respects the legal prescripts defining the scope, nature and extent of his responsibilities”.
On Thursday, Business Day reported that Nyanda was planning to suspend Mohlala following “repeated disagreements over tenders she refused to sign”.
Talk of tension between the minister and the director-general have been swirling for several weeks already, with TechCentral hearing of concerns by Nyanda over the department’s reconsidering of digital terrestrial television broadcasting standards.
Business Day, quoting unnamed sources, says Nyanda has stripped Mohlala of certain administrative powers. She has reportedly refused to approve tenders because they had been awarded “to people close to Nyanda” and his company, General Nyanda Security Services.
But Rikhotso says the minister is “not involved in the issuing or adjudication of tenders. Such is the responsibility of the management of the department”.
“Nyanda will continue with his responsibility of ensuring that the provisions of the Public Finance Management Act (PFMA), Public Service Act (PSA) and all relevant laws and regulations are adhered to and not flouted within the department.
But Rikhotso does hint of tensions between Nyanda and the director-general. “Nyanda will not address administration and human resources issues of the department through the media. This position is in deference to the staff of the department, including Ms Mohlala.”
“The minister is dealing with issues that are impacting the management of the department internally and according to the applicable laws, regulations and public service policies.” — Staff reporter, TechCentral
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