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The impasse between Public Works Minister Patricia de Lille and her CEO, defender Sam Vukela, has deepened after revelations this week that the man she named to act as an accountant is accused of conducting an internal forensic report. .
De Lille’s detractors are now using his hiring of acting CEO Imtiaz Fazel, even though he was on the brink of suspension last November, as evidence of a witch hunt against Vukela.
De Lille dismissed these claims this week, saying that Vukela was allowed to discipline Fazel without involving her. Last year, Vukela approached De Lille asking for permission to place Fazel on pre-trial suspension after he was accused of tampering with an internal investigation report in early 2019.
Fazel at the time was the Deputy Managing Director – Governance, Risk and Compliance. He was the custodian of the investigation process and in September he delivered the report to Vukela.
It was later brought to Vukela’s attention that Fazel’s version was materially different from the investigators’ report in which the recommendations for action against the employee, Manthekeleng Monama, were removed.
Monama was found to have been dishonest by failing to report that she was being paid assignments to which she was not entitled for eight years. This resulted in the department incurring irregular expenses of R 480,000.
“The report said that she should be penalized for knowingly accepting assignments even though she knew she had no right to [them]. Imtiaz, for whatever reason, decided to protect it and eliminate those finds, “said a public works informant.
the Mail and tutor you’ve seen Vukela’s presentation to De Lille’s office requesting that Fazel be placed on preventive suspension.
The filing, which is dated November 2019, says Fazel’s suspension would allow the department to complete its investigation of his department.
“The allegations are viewed seriously and have the potential to compromise both Mr. Fazel and the department if not proven, given the importance of his portfolio as a champion of ethics, as well as the detriment to the department’s management and efficiency. of public works and infrastructure ”, said Vukela in his presentation to De Lille.
It is unclear if he ever responded.
Vukela also included the fact that the minister failed to act on his now-abandoned court request for the suspension and disciplinary matter to be overturned, arguing that the minister was being inconsistent in taking action against him and not acting against Fazel.
De Lille spokeswoman Zara Nicholson did not respond to questions about whether De Lille was aware of the allegations against Fazel when she appointed him to act after she suspended Vukela.
Speaking through Nicholson, De Lille said it was Vukela who did not act against Fazel, as the Public Service Law empowered him to discipline him.
“I advise you to read the relevant sections of the Public Service Law and the Public Finance Management Law that I have cited in my sworn answer regarding the various issues raised by the suspended Director General so that you do not have to quote me directly in the relevant sections of the law “.
Vukela did not respond to multiple attempts to request comment.
De Lille suspended him three months ago after being implicated in managing the contract and in questionable payments related to the state funerals of Winnie Madikizela Mandela and Zola Skweyiya. In turn, he accused the minister of meddling in procurement matters in the department, including the controversial Beitbridge border fence, where the department overpaid for services by 14 million rand.
the M&G he also learned that Vukela is also challenging presidential minister Jackson Mthembu for failing to restart his disciplinary hearing, as directed by President Cyril Ramaphosa. Mthembu was appointed to supervise the Vukelas hearing after Ramaphosa removed De Lille’s delegation of authority to do so.
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