SITA CEO search 'on track'

By Damaria Senne for SITA
Johannesburg, 24 Aug 2007

Government has rubbished claims that the search for a CEO for the State IT Agency (SITA) has been derailed and a new process will have to begin.

Public service and administration minister Geraldine Fraser-Moleketi says the process to appoint the SITA CEO is well in hand, and will follow the required procedure.

"We will be ready for an announcement by the end of August or beginning of September," she said at the closing plenary of the GovTech 2007 conference, in Cape Town yesterday.

Fraser-Moleketi said negotiations with final candidates are at a sensitive point. "I don't intend to make an announcement today; that announcement will be made by Cabinet."

She thanked the delegates for their patience with regard to the matter, saying: "Your patience shouldn't be seen as government taking its time; we are making sure it [the appointment] is done right."

SITA has been criticised for dragging its heels in appointing the successor to Mavuso Msimang, who left the state institution earlier this year. Msimang subsequently joined the Department of Home Affairs as director-general.

Jonas Bogoshi, who was SITA's head of strategy at the time, was seen as a strong contender for the top post. He has since joined GijimaAst as CEO.

The contenders

It is not yet clear who is on the final shortlist for the SITA CEO post. However, two independent sources recently revealed to ITWeb that the search had been derailed, as the shortlisted candidates could not take up the position.

The sources said the final shortlist was made up of former MTN MD Maanda Manyatshe, former Cell C Service Provider turned BEE investor Vincent Raseroka, and Independent Electoral Commission standing chief electoral officer Pansy Tlakula.

It is alleged that Fraser-Moleketi refused to approve Manyatshe or Raseroka as they were too expensive, while Tlakula argued that she had never been in contention for the spot.

This left the SITA board sifting through internal and external applicants once again.

Insiders previously claimed SITA chief of business operations Noedine Isaacs-Mpulo was in the running for the top post. Sources also claim ex-Eskom chairman Reuel Khoza has been approached, but this has not been confirmed.