Outcry over appointments

The ministry of human settlements, water and sanitation has released a statement in response to accusations from the Democratic Alliance (DA) that Human Settlements, Water and Sanitation Minister Lindiwe Sisulu tried to “cover up” her decision to hire controversial Menzi Simelane and Mo Shaik as special advisors.

According to the department, the appointment of the pair was Sisulu’s “prerogative”.

The DA accused Sisulu of redacting the names of the pair from a response to a parliamentary question due to the outcry that followed the appointments, an allegation the department does not address in the statement, which only seeks to demonstrate that the appointment of the pair was legally above board.

“We wish to reiterate that members of the executive authority are entitled to special advisors,” the statement said. These appointments “are regulated and prescribed for” in section 12(A) of 1994’s Public Service Act.

The minister gained approval from Public Service and Administration Minister Senzo Mchunu prior to the appointments, the statement added.

According to the department, “the qualifications, experience and skills” of Simelane and Shaik were taken into account and they are both “suitably qualified”.

The DA has since released a new statement focusing on the salaries Simelane and Shaik are receiving, which estimates the two are earning between R1,978,533 and R2.2 million, depending on where they have been graded according to the department of public service and administration’s salary scales.

This, the statement continues, means they are being paid the amount directors-general of national government departments earn.