The Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries has on 15 April 2013, received an arbitration award in respect of the matter of Ms Sue Middleton.
In respect of the written warning issued to Ms Middleton, the Commissioner of the General Public Service Sectoral Bargaining Council (GPSSBC), found that such warning was both procedurally and substantially unfair and that the written warning dated 14 August 2012 should be considered as null and void. The department wishes to state that we are not satisfied with the award.
The department cannot fathom how the decision of compensation to the amount of R73 774, 25 was reached as the precautionary suspension of Ms Middleton was with full pay while she was acting as Deputy Director-General: Fisheries Management. Serious allegations which were in contravention of the Public Finance Management Act (PFMA) and which Middleton was accused of, are viewed in a very serious manner by the department.
For media enquiries please contact:
Steve Galane
Acting Chief Director: Stakeholder Relations and Communications
Cell: 083 635 7346
E-mail: SteveGAL@daff.gov.za
