Dr Zamani Saul, premier of the Northern Cape, says on numerous occasions he made it clear what his attitude is regarding corruption and conducting a clean administration.
He remains committed to a sound and prudent financial management and fighting fraud and corruption.
This comes after Dr Dion Theys, former head of the Department of Health and now a medical director, has been charged with fraud and money laundering in a second criminal case regarding Covid-19 personal protection equipment (PPE).
Theys, other officials and business owners face similar charges in unrelated PPE criminal cases.
Moses Moluasi recently resigned as an ANC PEC member after it was discovered he earns two salaries – one from the ZF Mgcawu District Municipality, and the other from the Department of Agriculture and Environmental Affairs.
The DA claims Saul “blows hot and cold” on corruption while Cope claims Saul is not, as he promised in his inaugural speech, delivering an ethical and clean administration.
Pakes Dikgetsi, Cope national committee member, named several instances to prove his point.
“The HOD of the Department of Roads and Public Works, Dr Johnny MacKay, earlier this month appeared in the Upington Magistrates’ Court on 271 criminal charges of contravening the Pension Funds Act involving R9 million.”
In his Office of the Premier, a deputy director general, Dr Steven Jonkers, also appeared in court on criminal charges.
“Saul is either ignorant or deliberately ignores the requirement of background and probity checks when appointing heads of department. There seems to be a pattern of nefarious motives for this situation.
“When he assumed office, he promised an ethical and clean administration. The opposite has happened and worsened.
“Corruption, unethical leadership conduct, and unprofessional management practices are endemic and negatively impact public service morale.”
Cope condemns the unethical and unprofessional conduct of the premier.
“He lacks integrity. This conduct undermines public confidence in state institutions.”
Dikgetsi also sent a letter of concern to the Public Service Commission (PSC).
The DA also expressed their concern about the lack of decisive and corrective action by the premier.
Harold McGluwa says in a statement: “The mere redeployment of officials, implicated in wrongdoing, does not inspire confidence that the provincial government is serious about combatting corruption.
Bronwyn Thomas-Abrahams, spokesperson for the premier, says the premier as recently as 20 September responded to oral questions in the Provincial Legislature regarding the matter of Theys.
“The allegations that the premier is avoiding the Legislature are unfounded and devoid of truth and substance.
“The premier gave an indication that Dr Theys has been moved from the position of head of department to that of medical director whilst the department is in the process of investigating the PPE charges that Theys and other officials are facing.
“Based on the outcome of the investigation, disciplinary action may ensue. It would serve the administration and the Department of Health well to apply Theys’ experience rather than having him sit at home at the expense of the taxpayer.”
Theys has appealed his previous conviction and sentence. Upon finalisation of the matter, the appropriate action will be taken.
“Notwithstanding the charges faced by the officials, there is a remarkable improvement in the financial management of the department. In the previous audit cycle the Auditor-General SA (AGSA) reported an improvement in the creditor payment period from 94 days in the 2020-’21 financial year, to 64 days in the 2021-‘22 financial year.
“This is still way above 30 days, but it is a move in the positive direction.
“There was no unauthorised expenditure, which is the first in years. The department also spent 99% of its budget.
“With regards to Moalusi, the premier has called on the Department of Agriculture and the ZF Mgcawu District to investigate the matter and if there are instances of fraud, the department should immediately employ corrective measures.
“The Office of the Premier will monitor the situation and ensure that it is adequately addressed.”
The premier will respond at the appropriate time to the letter Dikgetsi sent to the Public Service Commission.
