investigation
1 March 2007
The KwaZulu-Natal provincial government Director-General, Professor Mandla
Mchunu, has flatly refuted allegations of disrespect for SCOPA.
Professor Mchunu said this in response to allegations of not attending
meetings he was reportedly called to by SCOPA.
"I feel that I have been treated unfairly particularly when it is said that
this is the third time that I have ignored an invitation to appear before the
committee. I must state from the outset that I have deep respect for the
committee as an institution of government and the important work that it
does.
"I must state that I have never received any invitation or notice for me to
appear before the committee. In fact my office had never been notified of the
SCOPA resolutions until my office manager read from the newspapers that SCOPA
was expecting a report from me on 31 January 2007. My office then enquired with
the committee's secretary Ms S Engelbrecht."
Professor Mchunu said Engelbrecht had admitted that it was their mistake
that the notification had not been given and that she had promised to send a
proper one. "On 20 February 2007 my office received a letter referring to a
letter of 30 January 2007 which was never received by my office asking me to
indicate whether I will be ready to report back on progress regarding
resolution 97/2006 on 28 February 2007. It was only with this letter that a
copy of the resolutions was submitted to my office. My office then advised the
committee's secretary that this was not possible as Wednesday's are Cabinet
days and as Secretary to Cabinet, I have to be in attendance at all Cabinet
meetings. My office then waited for further direction which never came.
"I must repeat that no notice or invitation of a meeting with SCOPA either
on 31 January 2007 or on the 28 February 2007 was ever received by my office. I
have no reason to ignore or treat SCOPA with contempt," said Mchunu.
Media contact:
Mandla Cecil Msomi
Chief Director
KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Government Communication
Cell: 072 671 0775
E-mail: msomimc@premier.kzntl.gov.za
Issued by: Office of the Premier, KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Government
1 March 2007
Source: SAPA
