Pretoria - Correctional Services Minister Nosiwe Mapisa-Nqakula says she hopes her decision to place two senior officials on precautionary suspension would send a strong message that corruption would not be tolerated in the department.
"I hope the decision to suspend the two would send a strong message to colleagues that corruption would not be tolerated," she said on Tuesday.
Correctional Services National Commissioner Xoliswa Sibeko and the department's Acting Chief Financial Officer Nandi Mareka were suspended on Monday following allegations of misconduct.
"I decided to place the Commissioner and Acting CFO on precautionary suspension in relation to allegations of misconduct presented to me," Correctional Services Minister Nosiwe Mapisa-Nqakula said.
According to the allegations, Ms Sibeko and Ms Mareka were renting properties in an upmarket estate in Pretoria East, costing the taxpayer around R30 000 per month.
This was despite them having official residences provided by the department. The two officials had left their official residences unoccupied.
According to the minister, the decision to suspend the two was done in consultation with Public Service and Administration Minister Richard Baloyi.
She said a team will be constituted to deal with the matter as soon as possible and the findings would be communicated to the affected parties.
The minister further emphasised that the suspensions were not a finding or judgment against any of the officials concerned.
"The reality is that they are suspended so that the process is not seen as unfair or subject to undue influence.
"I have requested Minister Baloyi to assist in ensuring that the team finalises its investigation within the next two to three weeks," Minister Mapisa-Nqakula said.
She said if the investigations revealed no wrong doing by the officials, she would welcome them back, but should the allegations be true, "they can go on and look for a job in greener pastures."
Meanwhile, the minister has appointed Ms Jenny Schreiner as acting National Commissioner of Correctional Services until further notice.
