Telecommunications Committee welcomes planned interventions in department
The Portfolio Committee on Telecommunications and Postal Services noted performance challenges facing the Department of Telecommunications and Postal Services (DTPS) and some entities, and has welcomed interventions to address the situation by the Minister, Mr Siyabonga Cwele.
“We commend the Minister for the honest and frank discussion and are confident that the inquiry by the Public Service Commission (PSC) into the affairs of the Department will stabilise the environment. We also hope that it should not take too long to conclude,” said Committee Chairperson Ms Mmamoloko Kubayi.
Mr Cwele briefed the Committee on Tuesday about the Department’s first-quarter performance for the 2015/16 financial year, saying despite the Auditor-General’s indication of some improvement, numerous challenges remain.
He said the challenges included low performance, poor target identification, poor strategic leadership, lack of proper internal control mechanisms and tensions at senior management level. The Minister said all the challenges could be attributed to the Department’s poor performance.
The Committee expressed satisfaction with Mr Cwele’s decision to place the Director-General, Ms Rosey Sekese, on precautionary suspension. This is while the Commission conducts an inquiry into a number of areas, such as the handling of a disciplinary hearing involving senior staff members, irregular appointments and expenditure pending her response within 72 hours.
Five entities under the department, Sentech, Universal Services and Access Agency of South Africa (USAASA), South African Post Office (SAPO), State Information Technology Agency (SITA) and Broadband Infraco also briefed the Committee on their first-quarter performances.
The Committee raised concerns about service delivery issues and general management at SITA, Broadband Infraco and SAPO. The Committee noted stability at Sentech and Usaasa in relation to their performance. However, SAPO remained under administration and has continued to experience serious financial challenges, which could hinder implementation of the strategic turn-around plan.
At the same time, the Committee appealed to the Minister to expedite the appointment of the SAPO Board. The Committee will have a one-on-one engagement with SAPO to plan a way forward.
Enquiries:
Justice Molafo
Tel: 021 403 8444
Cell: 081 424 7481
E-mail: jmolafo@parliament.gov.za
