Department of Transport to pay monthly amounts for overpayment of officials

On Tuesday, 14 September 2021, Public Protector Busisiwe Mkhwebane, issued a report on findings from an investigation on irregular appointments and over paying of Director General and Second Adviser.

Mkhwebane investigated complaints that alleged Minister of Transport, Fikile Mbalula and Director General, Alec Moemi, irregularly appointed L. Messers; K. Venkile; Khoza; and B. Mpondo. Mpondo’s appointment led to another alleged irregular appointment of T. Mpondo.

In 2019, Mpondo was appointed as Mbalula’s advisor and subsequently moved to a different post within the department, effectively becoming an official. It is alleged that a normal recruitment procedure was not followed.

Appointment of Special Advisers is regulated by Dispensation of Appointment and Renumeration of Authorities on Ground Policy Consideration (in terms of section 12A of Public Service Act). However, Mpondo’s appointment by Minister Mbalula in 2019, as Adviser at Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa (PRASA) was not confirmed by Minister Mchunu.

Vankile was appointed on 01 June 2019. Minister Mchunu noted the irregularity that Vankile earned R1,446 378 per annum and brought it to Minister Mbalula’s attention on 27 August 2019.

It is alleged that Khoza was appointed, without Minister Mchunu’s approval as the adviser to Minister Mbalula 21 March 2020. When Minister Mchunu approved his appointment on 11 November 2020, Khoza was compensated a level 3 salary (DDG) which ranged between R1,521 591–R1,714 074 per annum.

The Department of Transport has agreed to pay back R450 000 in 38 monthly instalments of R12 000.

The Public Protector found that Minister Mchunu made no approval of any of the candidates and Minister Mbalula was directed all future contracts of employment, performance agreements and security clearance of Special Advisers submitted to the Minister of Public Service of Administration as required by Dispensation Policy.