Suspended Defence and Military Veterans director-general Irene Mpolweni has resigned from her cushy job, and Minister Thandi Modise has accepted her resignation.
Her departure follows a back-and-forth tussle between Mpolweni, who was facing a disciplinary hearing, and the department after her suspension in March 2023.
The two parties have since parted ways at the request of Mpolweni, who complained that her legal fees were piling up, making it almost impossible to continue to fight the department, which has deep pockets.
Modise has agreed to let her go, according to a letter we have seen dated April 2.
“This serves to kindly inform you that your request to resign from the establishment of the Department of Military Veterans has been accepted,” wrote Modise.
“You are kindly requested to complete the clearing out and exit interview questionnaire forms from human resources (HR) and hand over all departmental assets and electronic devices that were dispatched under your name.”
A variety of alleged financial misconducts led to Mpolweni’s suspension. But strangely, the department only furnished her with a charge sheet three months
after her suspension.
The charge sheet stated several alleged transgressions, which, according to the department constituted financial misconduct. She was alleged to have negligently caused irregular, fruitless, and wasteful expenditures.
The department alleged that in 2021, Mpolweni initiated and approved a project to purchase 90 rammer walk-behind roller pothole machines totalling R101-million. It was also alleged that she initiated and approved R50-million for the training of military veterans to operate the rammer machines.
The department alleged that Mpolweni approved the purchase of tablets, R10 000 wireless keyboards, flash discs, earphones and power banks to the tune of R61-million.
It also accused her of -was-ting public money by approving the funding of data packages amounting to R8-million.
Mpolweni was also accused of approving the training of military vets in ICT and computer literacy for R80-million.
The department also accused her of approving the payment of a R3 500 stipend to 1 900 military veterans for training in the use of tablets.
Mpolweni, according to the department, also set out to blow R21-million over three years, funding 189 Microsoft licences for the department through a third party instead of purchasing them directly from the company.
Mpolweni was also alleged to have signed off on the execution of R14-million to procure the services of 49 contingent workers from the SA Army Reserves to assist the department.
Sunday World has learned that Mpolweni, a seasoned public servant, might resurface at the troubled NSFAS, where Higher Education and Training Minister Blade Nzimande has been struggling to stabilise the institution.
When contacted for comment, Mpolweni confirmed her resignation and the completion of her departure from the department.
She said she was not looking for greener pastures, having served most of her life in the public service. “But greener pastures are looking for me, but I will not say much for now.
“I depart from 25 years of service in government with a clean track record in governance and leave behind the great legacy I have built in administration and service delivery.
“I hold no grudges against -anyone but appreciate all -patriots who have been part of my journey seeking to build a public service we can all be proud of,” she said.
