Pretoria - KwaZulu-Natal Premier, Dr Zweli Mkhize on Tuesday introduced five members of the Road Traffic Inspectorate Recruitment Commission of Inquiry.
In February this year, Mkhize appointed a Commission of Enquiry to investigate the recruitment of Road Traffic Inspectorate personnel by the KwaZulu-Natal Department of Transport which resulted in death and physical injury to certain prospective candidates short-listed for, and participating in, a fitness test conducted on 27 and 28 December 2012.
The Commission of Inquiry will be led by Adv. Thandi Victoria Norman SC as the chairperson, Commissioner Reverend Ruben Philip,Commissioner Advocate Thandanani Sihle Innocent Mthembu, Evidence LeaderSithembiso Kunene, investigator Bongekile Zulu and Secretary of the Commission, Dumisani Xaba.
The Commission is appointed to investigate and report on the recruitment process in the province which culminated in prospective candidates participating in a fitness test, including but not limited to:
- The direct and indirect causes and reasons for the deaths of, and physical injury to, certain prospective candidates;
- The appropriateness or otherwise of all planning, co-ordination, management and administrative processes undertaken for the recruitment process, in general, and the fitness test, in particular;
- The appropriateness or otherwise of all co-ordination, management and administrative processes and procedures implemented on 27 and 28 December 2012;
- The appropriateness of any contingency planning and arrangements made either prior to or during the event;
- Whether or not sufficient medical resources were deployed;
- Whether or not sufficient refreshment and ablution facilities were provided;
- Whether or not all statutory requirements were adhered to; and
- Whether or not the act or omission of any person employed in any sphere of government, either directly or indirectly, through negligence or otherwise, contributed to the death or injury of any person.
The Commission must make recommendations towards reconciliation and possible disciplinary action or criminal prosecution, with a view to assisting in bringing closure to the families and friends of the prospective candidates who lost their lives during, and as a result of, the fitness test and on any other matter of whatsoever nature that the Commission deems necessary or appropriate.
The Premier said his office is responsible for the financing of the Commission, adding that the cost of the Commission shall be determined by the Provincial Treasury. According to Mkhize, the Provincial Treasury is currently looking into this matter.
The Commission must submit interim reports and recommendations to the Premier each month prior to the final report being presented to the Premier.
The Commission must complete its work within a period of five months and must submit its final report to the Premier within a period of one month after the date on which the Commission completes its work.
Members of the public with information or who wish to give evidence before the Commission are invited to contact the Secretary of the Commission to arrange a time and place where they may testify before the Commission.
The Secretary can be contacted at the 191 Peter Ketchoff Street (formerly Boschoff Street), Room Number 5, Telephone Number (033) 341-7127 or Room Number 6, (033) 341-7050 or Cellphone 072 039 0353. - SAnews.gov.za
