Question 122
Mr H B Groenewald (DA-NW) to ask the Minister of Basic Education:
(1) Whether a certain person (details furnished) has been suspended; if not, why not; if so, what are the reasons for the said person being suspended?
(2) Whether the said person was suspended with or without pay; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, what are the relevant details?
(3) Whether a certain person (name furnished) was in any way involved in the allegations of fraud; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details?
(4) Whether any actions will be taken against any members of the provincial executive or officials; if not, why not; if so, (a) against whom will actions be taken and (b) what are the further relevant details?
Reply:
The Honourable member is reminded that as Minister of Basic Education I am not responsible for the employment of heads of provincial education departments. In responding to your question, I therefore had to request the office of the Premier of North West to assist me.
1. Yes. The Head of Department in North West was placed on precautionary suspension on 6 October 2009.
(a) The Head of Department was suspended on allegations of fraud, corruption and financial mismanagement. The Office of the Premier (North West) is in the process of conducting a full forensic investigation in this regard.
(b) The Head of Department is suspended on full pay.
2. No. The investigation in this matter is underway.
(a And; b) the investigation started after 6 October 2009 and is expected to run for a period of eight weeks from 13 October 2009.
3. The department is not aware of any fraud issues that the Honourable MEC was or may be involved in.
4. The department is not aware of acts of misconduct pending against any member of the Provincial Executive.
The North West Department of Education has placed four other officials on precautionary suspension with full pay.
An investigation on Mr Mweli is commissioned and undertaken by the Office of the Premier and the outcome of the investigation will determine whether or not any action should be taken against him.
Source: Department of Education
