28 September 2006
With regards to the article in the front page of The Star titled "R1,2
Million to stay at home," the Department of Economic Development wishes to
place the following on record:
1. The MEC for Finance and Economic Affairs Paul Mashatile does not get
involved in matters related to disciplinary procedures against staff. Such
matters are handled by the accounting officer of the Department and the MEC
only gets involved when an appeal is made. The MEC was therefore never involved
in the suspension or discipline of Mr Crish Naidu.
2. The allegations of corruption Mr Naidu is referring to were investigated
and were found to be baseless, hence there is no need for the MEC or the
accounting officer to take any action.
3. We therefore do not think that this matter is a "fresh scandal" that has
hit MEC Mashatile.
4. Mr Naidu was suspended for misconduct which includes disrespectful and
abusive behaviour to other members of staff and disclosing illegally obtained
information to the Auditor-General in bad faith.
5. In terms of the Public Service Disciplinary code and procedure, the
employer may not suspend an employee without pay. It is for this reason that Mr
Naidu has been suspended on full pay.
6. The department has no intention of unnecessarily delaying disciplinary
procedures against Mr Naidu. It is actions by Mr Naidu, which include changing
representation and repeatedly requesting postponements, which have been the
cause of most of the delays.
7. Mr Naidu has approached the department and has presented us with a
settlement offer that we are considering. We suspect that by raising this issue
in the media, he is making a feeble attempt to force us to agree to this offer.
Furthermore the manner in which this issue is being raised indicates that Mr
Naidu is negotiating with the department in bad faith.
8. We are convinced that the charges against Mr Naidu are valid. We have
evidence and witnesses to prove that he is guilty as charged. If this was not
the case we would have lifted the suspension and would have withdrawn the
charges.
9. The department does not understand why he will be claiming between R5 and
R6 million in compensation as he has been receiving his salary throughout. We
have also not yet received notice from him or the labour court that he will be
taking the matter up.
10. The department remains committed to the fight against corruption and we
will do everything in our power to uproot it. Our track record in this regard
speaks for itself.
Enquiries:
Percy Mthimkhulu
Cell: 082 379 1913
Issued by: Department of Economic Development, Gauteng Provincial
Government
28 September 2006
Source: SAPA
