Faith ‘purging staff to appoint her own’
Public Service and Administration Minister Faith Muthambi has allegedly appointed a “financial overseer” for her department with more powers than its chief financial officer in her bid to strengthen her grip on department finances.
This week Muthambi gave Director-General Mashwahle Diphofa, chief financial officer Masilo Makhura and head of administration Linda Shange suspension notices.
Insiders said the looming purge was to make space for Muthambi’s allies, including “super CFO” Zweli Momeka, who arrived with the minister from the Department of Communications. Momeka, who is based in the minister’s private office, had been introduced to staff as the “financial overseer”.
Sources said the “financial overseer” position escalated tensions as it allowed Momeka to question Makhura’s financial reports — although Makhura has the final say in terms of public service rules.
By Friday afternoon, Diphofa, Makhura and Shange had told Muthambi “the charges would not withstand legal scrutiny”.
A source said: “The DG also chaired the executive management meeting, which he said he regarded as their last supper in the department.”
Muthambi has charged Diphofa and Shange with failing to raise low staff morale. Makhura is charged with dereliction of duty and incurring R3.3-million in irregular expenditure, although he has resolved the matter with Treasury and the auditor-general.
Muthambi’s spokesman, Pfarelo Maduguma, declined to comment.
Well-placed officials said Muthambi also wanted Diphofa, Makhura and Shange out because they questioned her dodgy appointments. The minister is said to have lined up other allies — Willie Vukela, the deputy director-general of service delivery support, and her special adviser, Patience Mushungwa — to replace Diphofa and Shange.
Vukela, who joined the department in April, shortly after Muthambi took charge, on Friday claimed to be clueless about such moves.
An official with intimate knowledge of the matter said Momeka’s role was to punch holes in Makhura’s reports. “In management meetings they introduce him as the finance overseer. We don’t have such a position in the public service. He overwrites the reports of the CFO, who is lawfully appointed.”
Maduguma confirmed that Momeka had moved from the Government Communication and Information System. He was transferred under the Public Service Act and by agreement between Muthambi and Communications Minister Ayanda Dlodlo.
It emerged yesterday that Muthambi summoned Diphofa, Makhura and Shange to her office late on Friday where she eventually decided to suspend only Makhura and Shange. Sources said this was after President Jacob Zuma objected to the suspension of Diphofa.
Zuma’s spokesman, Bongani Ngqulunga, had not responded to requests for comment at the time of going to print.
It is understood Muthambi and Diphofa have agreed to ask the Public Service Commission to mediate their differences.
Diphofa also took leave and would return to work in November.