North West Premier Bushy Maape placed the ME C for Social Development, Boitumelo Moiloa, and the head of the department (HOD), Relebohile Mofokane, on special leave due to their inability to work together.
The suspension is to avoid the administrative near-paralysis brought on by their rivalry. Maape stated on Wednesday, May 31, that the duo's inability to collaborate endangered the department's service delivery and good governance. They were suspended with immediate effect and put on a one-month special leave. "I wish to take this opportunity to inform the public and residents of the North West Province that I have decided to place the Executive Council Member responsible for Social Development, Ms Boitumelo Moiloa, on special leave for a month. I have further granted the Head of Department, Mr Relebohile Mofokane, a one-month leave as per his request. This decision is with immediate effect, and the two will not exercise their roles and functions as both the Executive Authority and the Accounting Officer during their leave," said Maape.
Over the past months, the Office of the Premier has coordinated the implementation of directives on the Professionalisation of the Public Service, including delegations between Executive Authorities (MECs) and Accounting Officers (HODs). Unfortunately, this has not been successful in the Department of Social Development, leading to a near administrative paralysis which risked the finalisation of the Annual Performance Plan, Departmental Budget for the 2023/24 financial year, and potentially the submission of the Annual Financial Statement as well as the Annual Performance Information for 2022/23 Financial Year.
Maape stated that the conflict would halt service delivery, which is detrimental to the residents of the North West province. "This discord has the potential, if not managed to paralyse service delivery and harm the poor and vulnerable persons whom the department services," he said.
He added that, as Premier, he was "compelled and required by the constitution as the person vested with the Executive Authority of the Province, to intervene, on behalf of good governance and for the sake of the poor and the marginalised whose livelihoods are dependent on the services offered by the Department.".
To bring stability to the department, Maape appointed MEC for Arts, Culture, Sport and Recreation, Kenetswe Mosenogi, as acting MEC. Mr Obakeng Mongale was selected to work with Mosenogi as acting HOD. To give MEC Mosenogi and the intervention team a chance to bring stability to the department, Maape said: "This statement is the final communication on this matter, and no running commentary will be permitted."
The Office of the Premier has assembled a team of experienced senior public servants to help MEC Mosenogi and Mr O Mongale during their interim, focusing on managing the crucial audit process, which will resume on June 1.
"For both MEC Mosenogi and Acting HOD, Mr O Mongale, well in their short assignment and ask that all Department of Social Development employees, particularly senior and executive managers, give them the support they will require," he concluded.
