Communications Minister Solly Malatsi has instructed the State Information Technology Agency (Sita) to go back to the drawing board over the appointment of an acting managing director (MD).
Malatsi said this in a correspondence penned on January 22, which Sunday World has seen, and addressed to the outgoing Sita board chair, Makano Mosidi, after the board had recommended three candidates to fill up the acting MD’s post.
The post is currently being held by Simphiwe Dzengwa.
Malatsi stated in the letter that the three candidiates were inadequate to enable him to fairly and intelligently assess their suitability for the position.
“This correspondence is in response to the board’s recommendation of the three candidates you have identified for my approval for the position of acting managing director,” wrote Malatsi in the letter.
Revised submission of the candidates
“Having applied my mind to the board’s submission, it is my considered view that the three nominees and the motivations for their consideration are insufficient to empower me to make an informed, rational, and fair determination on their suitability for the role.
“In light of this, I implore the board to expand the consideration of potential candidates to the entire executive.”
He wrote further: “In so doing, the motivations must include any information pertaining to whether or not there are any current or previous investigations that may impact the professional and, or, ethical conduct of any of the candidates in the revised submission.
“This must also include the individuals’ performance reports for at least the past two financial years.
“It would be imprudent to finalise any delegations of authority to any executive while the process to finalise the appointment of the acting MD beyond the expiry of the term of the incumbent is underway.”
Malatsi requested the board to give him a revised submission of the candidates within 48 hours to “ensure that we move with the required speed to finalise this important matter”.
Malatsi provided with feedback
When approached for comment, Mosidi told Sunday World on Monday that the board has provided Malatsi with feedback on names of suitable candidates to fill the acting MD’s post.
On January 17, Malatsi’s department issued a media release accepting an apology from the Sita board in relation to the communication regarding the appointment of the acting MD.
This came after Malatsi threw a book at the Sita board after announcing the appointment of the acting MD without his blessing.
Following the incorrect communication about the appointment of the acting MD to take over duties on February 5 without the necessary ministerial approval, the board met with Malatsi that day.
This saw the Sita board retracting the communication to Sita staff and Malatsi accepting the board’s apology, read the media statement.
