Minister, DG in spat over DDG suspension

AGRICULTURE, Forestry and Fisheries Minister Senzeni Zokwana has lambasted the department’s director-general Mzamo Michael Mlengana for “bypassing” him when suspending deputy director-general (DDG) Siphokazi Ndudane.

Zokwana had effectively recalled his delegated powers to the DG owing to “abuse”, and has written to President Cyril Ramaphosa to appraise him, the department said.

“The suspension of the DDG was mishandled by the director-general in that he did not consult with the minister.

“By law, the minister must concur with a suspension on the basis of any prima facie evidence brought against such a high-ranking official.

“DDGs are second after the DG by ranking and their employment is a cabinet process and so a minister cannot be bypassed in such circumstances,” said Zokwana’s spokesperson Khaye Nkwanyana.

Ndudane was placed on suspension following allegations of misconduct, according to reports.

Approached for comment yesterday, Ndudane said she could not comment and referred questions to the department.

“The minister is very concerned about all these allegations and wants to act on whomsoever is alleged to be at fault.

“But nobody has brought any material including the director-general but he bypasses the minister and acts unilaterally in ways that any minister cannot accept.

“Minister Zokwana is being bypassed despite his repeated requests to be presented with information to give the green light on the basis of substance,” said Nkwanyana.

“The ministry is worried about the co-ordinated scorched-earth campaign played through the media for which some elements within the department are by no means a small player and some players in the sector act in self-interest to muddy issues so that a storm is created in a tea cup,” he added.

Earlier this month it was reported that Ndudane was allegedly unable to account for a missing R55 million owed to the department by an individual for depleting crayfish stocks, according to the DA’s Beverley Schäfer, spokesperson on Economic Opportunities, Tourism and Agriculture. She said the report further alleged that Ndudane wasted R30 million on two legal firms to assist with the case instead of consulting with the department for free.

Asked to comment, Nkwanyana said: “It is the DA’s right to ventilate on any issue that is of public interest such as this one. We cannot pass judgment on them.”

Zokwana had previously been embroiled in a stand-off with his DG and was forced to motivate why he should not be held personally liable for legal costs arising from an illegal suspension of Mlengana. The High Court in Pretoria had ruled that Mlengana’s suspension by Zokwana was unlawful, invalid and of no force and effect.

Zokwana placed Mlengana on precautionary suspension in July 2017 pending an investigation into allegations of gross misconduct, which he challenged in court.

DDG Ndudane allegedly unable to account for missing R55 million