Pretoria – The City of Tshwane says two senior officials have been placed on suspension and disciplinary action will be taken against them.
Tshilidzi Nemahagala, Strategic Executive Director (SED) in the office of the City Manager and the Chief Financial Officer Andile Dyakala, were issued with suspension letters last Thursday and Friday, respectively.
Nemahagala was acting head of the city’s Corporate and Shared Services Department at the time of his suspension.
“A fortnight ago, the City of Tshwane Council resolved to serve notices of intention to suspend Nemahagala and Dyakala, who were implicated in alleged acts of wrongdoing. The council resolution was made in terms of the Municipal Systems Act, which governs suspensions and disciplinary action against senior managers directly reporting to the City Manager,” said the city in a statement on Monday.
The officials were given seven calendar days to make written representations to motivate why they shouldn’t be placed on suspension.
“However, after careful evaluation of their representations, the City Manager, Jason Ngobeni, took a decision to place the pair on suspension late last week,” said the city.
Dyakala has been implicated in a forensic investigation commissioned by the city into a printing tender.
Nemahagala is facing charges relating to various acts of misconduct, which include insubordination, harassment, intimidation, absenteeism without authorisation and dereliction of duty.
The city said an independent investigator had been appointed to look into the matter relating to Nemahagala, who is expected to provide a report in due course.
“This step is required by law and should precede the institution of disciplinary proceedings against Nemahagala,” said the department.
“The city is currently finalising the appointment of prosecutors and presiding officers to expedite disciplinary proceedings against Dyakala.”
Ngobeni said action taken against the two officials was in line with the City’s Vision 2055, which places emphasis on accountability and clean governance.
“After careful evaluation of the information placed before me, I arrived at a determination that both men should be placed on suspension pending the finalisation of their disciplinary proceedings.
“As the capital city, which prides itself on igniting excellence, I had no choice but to take decisive action,” he said, adding that the officials should be presumed innocent until proven otherwise by the disciplinary process.
“I would like to give an unequivocal assurance that the suspension of the Group Chief Financial Officer will not dent investor confidence. Instead, it serves to affirm our credibility as an institution that takes good governance seriously.”
Ngobeni added that the city would go on a roadshow to all key municipal bond investors, financial institutions and banks to advise of the contingency plans put in place and allay any fears that could be linked to the temporary vacation of the crucial post.
Daniel Manganye has been appointed acting SED at Corporate and Shared Services Department and Umar Banda has been appointed acting Chief Financial Officer in place of Dyakala. – SAnews.gov.za
