committee
17 July 2007
Pietermaritzburg - KwaZulu-Natal MEC for Agriculture and Environmental
Affairs Mtholephi Mthimkhulu accompanied by senior departmental officials
today, 17 July, briefed the Agriculture Portfolio Committee on the progress
since the Department embarked on a turnaround strategy in the aftermath of the
findings of the Internal Audit Report that identified certain weaknesses in the
financial control environment of the Department earlier this year.
Members of the committee were also briefed of the latest development
regarding the matter of suspensions of senior managers within the Department
who had been on suspension for almost two years with pay. In a report to the
portfolio committee, the MEC said the committee of inquiry that had been set up
to conduct inquiry into the validity of the suspensions and also advise him
accordingly had informed him that it required more time to verify certain
information and conclude interviews with other relevant persons.
The MEC said the committee had in the meantime confirmed that all the
suspensions were properly processed and the affected staff members were
afforded an opportunity to influence the decision to suspend.
"In addition hereto the suspensions were based on sound legal and management
basis. No grievances were lodged by any of the suspended officials," reported
Mthimkhulu.
With the case of the three officials whose disciplinary matters had not been
concluded, the committee found that the there is no longer a basis for the
continued suspension of two of the officials and that their continued
suspension was not in the public interest.
"In the light of the aforesaid advice, I have taken the decision to
immediately lift the suspensions of Messrs De Wet and Koch. However, the
disciplinary proceedings against them are to continue until I direct
otherwise," reported Mthimkhulu.
The portfolio committee was also briefed on the Mjindi Farm, a public entity
company owned by the Department. Various options and recommendations were to be
pursued with regard to the continued ownership by the Department of the Mjindi
Farm.
The portfolio committee was also briefed on the Ntambanana State land issue
and a meeting between MEC Mthimkhulu and his local government and traditional
affairs counterpart Mike Mabuyakhulu and other stakeholders is on the cards to
resolve the current impasse over the status of land ownership at Ntambanana.
Officials of the Department also briefed the committee on the expenditure
report of the budgetary allocation that the department received at the
beginning of April.
The committee heard that year to date expenditure in the first quarter of
the financial year ending on 30 June had been way below the 25% expected for
the quarter due to the budget review exercise, delayed finalisation of
departmental business plans as per the pledge by the MEC during his Budget Vote
speech on 30 April that all departmental projects will be based on sound
business principles underpinned by viable business plans.
The Department also presented its approved business plans to the portfolio
committee. Portfolio committee members commended the Department and the MEC for
the initiatives they have taken to redress the weaknesses identified by the
internal audit report.
For enquiries please contact:
Mbulelo Baloyi
Media Liaison Officer
Cell: 082 415 7277
Issued by: Department of Agriculture and Environmental Affairs,
KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Government
17 July 2007
Source: SAPA
