The Gauteng Department of Environmental Affairs has wasted R5 037 664,00 on four suspended employees sitting at home doing nothing. The Democratic Alliance (DA) in Gauteng demands that the MEC for Environmental Affairs, Shyla Peters, finalise appeal process so that risk of environment pollution impacted by these suspensions is addressed as a matter of urgency. Moreover, this also has a severe impact on residents’ health and environmental conservation.
These employees were suspended for improper, disrespectful, and unacceptable conduct, alleged assault, placing the department into disrepute and misappropriation of stationery.
This information was revealed by MEC Peters in a written reply to the DA’s questions tabled in the Gauteng Provincial Legislature (GPL).
Of these four suspended employees; one has been suspended for over three years; two have been on suspension for over two years and another has been on suspension for almost a year pending their appeal for a sanction of dismissal. The DA is appalled by delaying tactics by officials while Premier Panyaza Lesufi’s government has allowed it to happen.
See the reply here.
The DA challenges MEC Peters to provide the reasons for these delays and demand timelines on when disciplinary processes will be concluded.
A DA Gauteng-led provincial government will ensure that all disciplinary action and appeals take place within 90 days. This will allow the department to fill vacancies where necessary and no further delays in any work that needs to be carried out.
The public deserves accountability for how their tax money is being spent, particularly when it appears to be wasted on prolonged suspensions. This is an area where Lesufi’s government fails time after time.