Note to Broadcasters: Please find the linked soundbite in English by Freddy Sonakile MPL.
This morning, the DA conducted an oversight visit to the North West Department of Social Development after a fire ravaged several offices last night.
Our oversight indicated that the Human Resources offices were targeted, in particular the Labour Relations Unit. We believe this was deliberate, considering all that has been happening at the Department. The department has been facing a serious leadership and governance crisis. (See Images here, here, here, here, here, here and here)
While we appreciate that the police acted with speed, and will await the results of their investigations, there are serious questions that need to be answered:
- Where was the security stationed at the offices when the incident occurred?
- Were the CCTV cameras at the buildings properly installed and operating?
- Does the Department not have electronic systems in place to store its files, considering that most of the files were burnt?
We believe that this incident, which caused extensive damage, is not accidental and comes amidst a serious leadership and governance crisis engulfing the Department.
In May this year, Premier Bushy Maape placed the MEC of the Department, Boitumelo Moiloa, on an unprecedented ‘special leave’ and the HOD, Lebohang Mafokane, requested a one-month leave.
This was a result of the continuing squabble between the MEC and HOD which impacted the Department’s ability to fulfil its mandate.
This was followed by the appointment of an Acting MEC, Keneetswe Mosenogi, and an administrative task team led by Health HOD, Obakeng Mongale, to the Department.
Since 2021, the Department has been embroiled in a series of allegations, including:
- Qualifications of the HOD being challenged;
- Failure to pay NGOs on time;
- Irregular R133 Million security tender;
- Suspensions, Dismissals, and Upliftment of Suspensions of senior managers;
- Gangs storming into the departmental offices; and
- HOD working without a signed employment contract, and many others.
This incident is an indication of how deep the criminality in that Department runs.
The DA has today requested the Chairperson of the Portfolio Committee on Social Development, Gavin Edwards, to summon the intervention team deployed at the Department to provide a report on the work they have done at the Department, as well as the impact of this incident on the operations of the Department.