Acting chiefs the cause of instability
Faltering SOEs typified by constant changes
and The most troubled state-owned agencies and government departments have one thing in common – a high turnover of accounting officers.
Some, such as the SABC, Eskom and Prasa, were run by acting chief executives. The SABC suffered losses amounting to almost R1-billion in the 2016/2017 financial year, it emerged in parliament this week.
Acting boss Nomsa Philiso was only appointed in June after James Aguma resigned after a year in the job.
SAA, which needs a multibillion-rand government bailout to stay afloat, appointed its first permanent CEO since 2015 last week.
A report by the South African Institute of Race Relations, titled Political Musical Chairs, has found that during Jacob Zuma’s tenure as president, 172 people have held the position of director-general (DG) in 38 departments, either in a permanent or acting capacity, with the average period of just 14 months.
The report by commentator and writer Gareth van Onselen also revealed that only six departments: home affairs, constitutional development, the Presidency, environmental affairs, science and technology and traditional affairs had not had an acting DG since 2009.
However, Home Affairs’ Mkuseli Apleni, one of the longest-serving government accounting officers, has become the latest director-general to be suspended.
Themba Godi, chairman of the National Assembly’s standing committee on public accounts, described the constant changes as “childishness” which showed a lack of political leadership.
He cited the suspension of water and sanitation director-general Dan Mashitisho in July, just six months into his tenure, as an example.
“Appoint directors-general that are not going to be fired,” said Godi. State-owned entities fared the worst. SAA has seen Musa Zwane, Thuli Mpshe, Nico Bezuidenhout (twice), Monwabisi Kalawe, Vuyisile Kona, Siza Mzimela and Khaya Ngqula at the helm either as acting or permanent chief executives since 2009.
It appointed Vuyani Jarana last month, its first permanent CEO in almost two years.
Eskom has an acting CEO in Johnny Dladla, who replaced Brian Molefe in June after Molefe was forced to resign.
Molefe had a second stint after Eskom suspended Matshela Koko, yet another acting boss.
Molefe was initially appointed Eskom’s acting chief executive in April 2015 before becoming its permanent head in September that year.
Prasa has Lindikhaye Zide, who replaced Collins Letsoalo in February, as its acting CEO. Letsoalo, who also acted, was removed in February. He had replaced Nathi Khena, another acting chief executive for just a few months.
DA shadow minister of public enterprises Natasha Mazzone said there was “a stranglehold on state-owned entities regarding who’s employed”.
When ANC secretary-general Gwede Mantashe was contacted for comment, he responded: “I am not in government.”
Acting chairwoman of the National Assembly’s portfolio committee on public enterprises, Zukiswa Rantho, said the parliamentary inquiry into the rot at Eskom would start next week.
She said committee members would start with the Eskom inquiry and not Transnet, largely due to the tenures of the power utility’s former chief executive Molefe and suspended chief financial officer Anoj Singh having overlapped.
“We will start with Eskom to see how much we get and decide whether there is a need to proceed with the Transnet inquiry,” Rantho said.