Suspended Tshwane officials cost metro millions
The metro says it depends on law enforcement providing it with the evidence to charge the implicated employees with misconduct.
Suspended Tshwane officials pending finalisation of their disciplinary hearings, cost the metro R9.3-million between July and December 2024.
According to the metro, the disciplinary hearings are delayed because the metro is waiting for law enforcement to conclude the investigations it needs to charge the implicated employees with misconduct.
Metro spokesperson Lindela Mashigo said the delays are not deliberate.
“The employees are suspended for committing very serious and gross acts of misconduct and in many instances it constitutes criminal conduct of a serious nature.”
Mashigo said the city is dependent on the country’s law enforcement agencies, such as the Special Investigation Unit (SIU), Hawks and police to conclude investigations and provide the city with the evidence to charge the implicated employees with misconduct.
“The country’s labour laws do not allow for precautionary suspensions to be without remuneration.”
Mashigo said the metro is reviewing all suspensions, to find alternatives to having employees suspended and not performing any duties.
“This includes the employees where the city holds the view that [if] they are present at work, in a different capacity, will not prejudice the efficiency and operations of the city’s mandate to its citizens.”
Mashigo said hearings are dealt with in terms of the South African Local Government Bargaining Council (SALGBC) Disciplinary Procedure Collective Agreement and the applicable labour legislation.
“The majority of the cases are criminal in nature and it would be unfair to members of the public to be confronted by the same individuals if their suspensions are lifted.”
He said the metro is however restricted in that, among others, it relies on external law enforcement agencies providing it with the requisite evidence to charge the implicated employees.
The Freedom Front Plus (FF Plus) called on the metro to finalise the disciplinary hearings.
FF Plus Anne-Marie Sparg said the party is against the metro paying the 43 suspended officials R9.3-million in salaries.
“The maximum length of a suspension, in terms of the metro’s employment conditions, is three months with full pay, with the possibility of an extension by another three months if needed.”
She said 41 of the 51 officials awaiting finalisation of disciplinary hearings have been suspended for longer than three months already.
“The Freedom Front Plus enquired about the cause of the delay and when the matters are expected to be finalised.”
Sparg said according to a report tabled to the Council, an additional 109 allegations of fraud and corruption have been made against officials.
“Retaining officials implicated in fraud and corruption in their positions could have significant consequences for the metro and delay investigations.
“In turn, delays in disciplinary action undermine sound management and accountability,” said Sparg.
Sparg added that the FF Plus called on the metro to finalise disciplinary hearings to prevent further financial losses and ensure accountability.
“It is unacceptable to drag disciplinary hearings out over months while taxpayers’ hard-earned money is squandered.”
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