The Department of Education has noted with concern the publication (in your Business Report on 11 August 2009), of the names of two officials of the Department of Education who were reported as not having submitted the required declaration of interest forms during 2008/09. Our concern is firstly for the integrity and reputation of the named officials and secondly for the name of the department which has always been fully compliant in this regard.
For the record, it should be noted that Mr J Kgamphe was demoted during the course of that year for an unrelated offence to a level where he was no longer required to submit his declaration to the Public Service Commission, although it was completed. Ms Nasima Badsha, the other named official, was seconded to the Cape Higher Education Consortium (CHEC) on a part time basis and to the ministry as special advisor, in which capacities she was never provided with a declaration of interest form by the department, or asked to complete one. There was therefore no disregard of regulations by either of the two named officials.
Enquiries:
Granville Whittle
Cell: 072 148 9575
Tel: 012 312 5024
Source: Department of Education (http://www.education.gov.za/)
