The National Department of Health has maintained that its suspended head of Infrastructure Ayanda Dakela is still under suspension.
Dakela was suspended on March 2024 through a heavy-handed letter from the department’s Director General Dr Sandile Buthelezi.
“The Department of Health has considered your representations on why you should not be suspended. However, in terms of Chapter 7 clause 2.7 (2)(a) of the SMS Handbook the employer may suspend an employee on full pay or transfer the employee if the employee is alleged to have committed a serious offence; and if the employer believes that the presence of an employee at the workplace might jeopardise any investigation into the alleged misconduct or endanger the wellbeing or safety of any person or state property.”
According to the Department, Dakela was suspended to avoid possible interference in the investigation.
“The Department has ultimately come to a decision that, in light of the seriousness of the allegations against you and to avoid possible interference with the investigation or potential witnesses, you are hereby suspended from employment with immediate effect. Your suspension is subject to the finalization of the investigation into the aforementioned allegations. In the event that the findings of the investigation indicate that a disciplinary hearing should be held, your suspension will be contingent upon the finalisation of the disciplinary process” Buthelezi said.
Dakela was suspended for unauthorised interference with procurement processes at the Independent Development Trust (IDT), entering into an agreement and/or issuing instructions that were beyond his scope of delegation and failure to declare critical information during his interview and appointment process.
Before joining the Department of Health, Dakela worked for the CSIR and was seconded from the CSIR to the Department of Public Works and Infrastructure. Dakela was, however, recalled from DPWI before finishing his term.
On recalling Dakela, De Lille said: “This letter serves to inform you of the Department's decision to terminate your secondment from the CSIR to the Department.
“The decision to terminate your secondment emanates from your breach of the internal departmental communication protocols in that you have been acting on behalf of the Ministry and issued communication on behalf of the Ministry on ministerial letterheads to various parties without authorisation.
“In so doing, you have compromised the integrity of the Ministry and this is viewed in a serious light taking Into account your seniority and current acting capacity in the department. The termination of your secondment is effective immediately with a thirty(30 days notice from the date of signature. However, in the interest of the good standing of the Department you are released from the Department to the CSIR with immediate effect.”
Besides the DPWI and DOH claims against Dakela he has maintained his innocence.
Responding to The Star’s questions Dakela said: “In 2007, I exposed Intaka tender irregularities for the oxygen supply to hospitals. In 2020, I exposed the irregularities related to the procurement of the Beige Bridge Fence. In 2024, I exposed procurement irregularities for the following projects: (1) the Tambo Memorial Hospital project (2) the Oxygen Supply project to various hospitals across the country (3) Broadband Telecommunication Services to various clinics across the country. And lastly, your previous article was out of order”
The Star could not find evidence of Dakela’s “exposès”.
Asked when Dakela’s matter will be resolved, the Department of Health said: “The matter concerning Mr Dakela has not been concluded. He remains suspended. The evidence will speak for itself”.
The Star