MEDIA STATEMENT ON CHALLENGES OF THE DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT: NORTH WEST PROVINCE

I wish to take this opportunity to inform the public and residents of the North West Province, that I have taken the decision to place the Member of the Executive Council responsible for Social Development, Ms Boitumelo Moiloa on special leave for a period of 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 Ofcer during the period of their leave.

 

Over the past months, the Office of the Premier has coordinated the implementation of directives on Professionalisation of the Public Service which includes amongst other things a system of delegations between Executive Authorities (MECs) and Accounting Officers (HOD’s). Unfortunately, this has not been successful in the Department of Social Development leading to a near administrative paralysis which risked finalisation of the Annual Performance Plan, Departmental Budget for 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.

 

This discord has the potential if not managed to paralyse service delivery and harm the poor and vulnerable persons who are serviced by the department. The Premier is 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.

MEC for Arts, Culture, Spoi1 & Recreation, Ms Kenetswe Mosenogi has been appointed as Acting MEC for Social Development, and Mr O Mongale will be acting Head of Department.

 

We have constituted a team of experienced senior public servants led by the Office of the Premier to assist MEC Mosenogi and Mr O Mongale during their acting, with particular mandate being on managing the very important audit process which resumes from June 1st.

 

This statement is the final position communication on this matter, and no running commentary will be allowed in order to give MEC Mosenogi and the intervention team the opportunity to bring stability into the department.

 

I wish for both MEC Mosenogi and Acting HOD, Mr O Mongale well in their short assignment and ask that all employees of the Department of Social Development, particularly senior and executive managers give them the support they will surely require. Ends.

 

Issued by North West Office of the Premier

 

For enquiries, contact Sello Tatai

Spokesperson to the Premier

North West Provincial Government

Cell: 064 756 2510/082 450 7842

E-mail: statai38@gmail.com

or

Mr Brian Setswambung

Provincial Head of Communication Ofiice of the Premier

North West Provincial Government

Cell: 076 012 4501

E-mail: bsetswambung@nwpg.gov.za