Technology Innovation Agency (TIA) CEO Simphiwe Duma has been suspended, following a forensic probe into allegations of maladministration at the agency. This was confirmed by board chairman Khungeka Njobe.
According to Njobe, Duma's suspension has been effective since 17 October, after the probe had been concluded. However, the suspension was not publicly announced until now.
Earlier this year, Duma elected to take special leave "to give the investigation process space so as to eliminate any potential allegations that there is interference on his side".
However, Njobe is tight-lipped on the reasons for Duma's suspension, as well as the details of the investigation findings. "We are unable to say exactly when [the findings will be made public] as we still need to complete internal processes which are still under way," she says.
She confirms the findings have been represented to the board and science and technology minister Derek Hanekom. "The board will be tabling its response to the report to [Hanekom] shortly." She says it still has to be determined "in consultation with the minister and the portfolio committee" whether the findings will be presented to the committee.
Allegations reportedly relating to procurement, investments and staffing at the agency surfaced after an external review was done by independent experts earlier this year. Also forming part of the investigation is former chairperson Mamphela Ramphele, apparently pertaining to a cattle-breeding project by the agency located in her family's village that took place during her tenure.
Ramphele declined to comment on the investigation until its findings have been released.
Keeping mum
Democratic Alliance MP and shadow minister of science and technology Junita Kloppers-Lourens says it is unacceptable that it is yet to be determined whether the findings will be presented to the portfolio committee. "It is not something to be determined, it has to be presented to us," she says.
"We are an oversight entity over the department, not the department over us. These findings form part of our oversight role." According to Kloppers-Lourens, the committee was promised by the TIA, during a meeting in September, that it would be presented with the findings. She says she will contact Njobe to ask when the committee can expect the investigation report.
Kloppers-Lourens also queries Duma's suspension, saying this has never been officially communicated to the committee. "We were told that he was placed on special leave, and now I hear he has been suspended. Why [and] on what grounds? The findings have not even been communicated to us yet."
Freedom Front Plus parliamentary spokesperson Anton Alberts says it is imperative that the findings be presented to Parliament.
"[Translation] According to the constitution, Parliament has an oversight responsibility of the state's proceedings. Thus it will be illegal to keep the findings from Parliament. The portfolio committee must demand that the report be presented early in next year, if not sooner."
He points out that the "mismanagement" at the TIA is part of a bigger tendency in government to delay and hide mismanagement and corruption investigations and reports.
"[Translation] Nkandla is surely the best example of this."
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