Minister called to account for irregularities at water board

CALLS were made yesterday in Parliament to summon Water and Sanitation Minister Nomvula Mokonyane to account for the water boards overseen by her department.

This happened as parliamentarians raised concerns about the time allocated by the Water and Sanitation Department to appoint a board of directors for Mhlathuze Water.

A presentation made to the water and sanitation committee yesterday showed that it would take seven months to appoint the board, long after the Pietermaritzburg High Court set aside Mokonyane’s decision to extend the terms of office of the previous board.

Mhlathuze Water is cur- rently led by acting chief executive Mthokozisi Duze, as suspended chief executive Sibusiso Makhanya is challenging his suspension in a judicial review application.

Makhanya was suspended by the previous board in November 2015, following an investigation by Edward Nathan, Sonnenberg Africa into allegations of misconduct.

But he successfully launched an application to not only challenge his suspension and disciplinary hearing, but declared the extension of the term of office of the board unlawful and invalid.

The board’s term expired in February 2015, with that of its chairperson, Dudu Myeni, who had already served three four-year terms.

Briefing the committee, the department’s director-general, Dan Mashitisho, said nominations for board members were advertised in two newspapers in April and May.

Mashitisho said the process was expected to be concluded in November.

The ANC’s Thomas Makonda said he was concerned the appointment of the board was not treated as a matter of urgency. “It takes almost a year, (in fact) eight months to appoint a board. I don’t know why it has to take such a very long time,” Makonda said.

His sentiments were echoed by the DA’s Lynn Baker, who said it was also of concern that the law did not provide guidelines on the time spent appointing the board.

She said she was uncomfortable that Mokonyane, who is on sick leave, was not at the meeting. “We can’t have the deputy minister and director-general answer on issues relating to water boards,” Baker said.

She also said the court had found she acted beyond her mandate when it ordered she appoint a new board.

The EFF’s Sibongile Khawula complained that the committee was only notified about matters at Mhlathuze Water yesterday.