Cabinet this week approved the appointment of former Independent Communications Authority of SA (ICASA) councillor Robert Nkuna to lead operations at the telecoms department.
Nkuna's appointment as the new director-general (DG) comes a little over a year after department minister Siyabonga Cwele made a bold disciplinary move to charge disgraced former DG, Rosey Sekese.
Department of Telecommunications and Postal Services (DTPS) spokesperson Siya Qoza confirmed Nkuna's appointment, and says the process to complete the move is being finalised.
Qoza explains: "Mr Nkuna has experience in the sector, both in policy and in regulation. He is a former ministerial adviser and a board member of ICASA.
"His appointment brings stability to the leadership of the department and his immediate task is to lead the department in implementing the National Integrated ICT Policy White Paper, in consultation with other role-players.
"The feedback we are getting on the policy indicates the sector wants us to get to the implementation phase of the policy. We shall work with all stakeholders to look at the best models of giving effect to the policy."
Mountainous task
While the industry waits for Nkuna to assume office and provide some clarity in terms of the recently published ICT Policy White Paper, Cwele will look to him to restore some stability following numerous complaints from DTPS staff.
The minister previously admitted to DTPS management affairs that have brought on paralysis and negatively impacted the department's ability to execute its functions timeously.
Last year, Cwele appointed the Public Service Commission to conduct an independent investigation into the department.
The department's leadership upheavals have been blamed on the former DG.
According to officials, Sekese was solely to blame for the exodus of senior officials and the serious leadership crisis affecting the DTPS.
Sekese wreaked havoc in the department, giving anyone who opposed her, the boot. Over a period of six months, three deputy DGs (DGGs) left the department as a result of either being fired or resigning.
All three DDGs were also involved in internal disciplinary hearings regarding the controversial awarding of a R756 million tender to Media Corner, a contract which is being probed by the Special Investigating Unit.
Sekese was appointed DG of the former Department of Communications in June 2011.
Following a 60-day suspension, subsequent charges brought against her and a disciplinary hearing, Sekese was expelled.
In the DTPS' 2015/2016 annual report, Cwele said the department has taken decisive steps to stabilise the leadership of the department.
According to Cwele, the department implemented disciplinary steps against Sekese as per the PSC's recommendation. "Sekese was expelled as the outcome of that disciplinary process.
"We have filled the vacancies that existed at the top management structure of the department, particularly two DDGs, namely, administration and state-owned enterprises oversight branches and the chief financial officer."
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