Following media reports about the above matter, the Acting Chief Executive Officer of the Pan South African Language Board (PanSALB), Chris Swepu would like to take this opportunity and confirm that he has suspended the organisation’s Senior Legal Advisor, Advocate Zixolisile Feni, pending an investigation into possible charges of misconduct.
Advocate Feni was served with his letter of suspension on Thursday last week in terms of regulation 17(a) of the PanSALB Regulations which grant the accounting officer authority to suspend an employee until an investigation or disciplinary hearing with regards to a possible charge has been completed.
“Although it was not an easy decision to take, it had to be done to bring stability and discipline within the organisation as there is no one who is above the law at PanSALB including its accounting officer. This decision has been communicated to the board,” said Swepu.
The suspension is without any loss of remuneration or benefits to the employee, except that he was requested to hand over all assets of the board that were in his possession and not to come to the office without prior authorisation.
PanSALB would like to state that the suspension of Advocate Feni is no way related to the allegations of mismanagement that he has sent to Parliament. We have already written to the Chairperson of the Portfolio Committee on Arts and Culture, Dr Tshenuwani Farisani, indicating our availability to meet with him.
We would like to appeal to all concerned to give the disciplinary process a chance to deal with this matter without any interference.
Enquiries:
Sibusiso Nkosi
Tel: 012 341 9638
Cell: 082 855 4436
Issued by: Pan South African Language Board
17 May 2010
