The acting chief financial officer of Correctional Services, Nandi Mareka, has been cleared of wrongdoing after being suspended alongside national commissioner Xoliswa Sibeko, the ministry said on Tuesday.
Sibeko is still facing disciplinary action.
The two senior correctional services officials were suspended in July over allegations related to the renting of accommodation for senior executives with ”exorbitant cost” to the taxpayer.
”Ms Nandi Mareka was found not to have been involved in any wrongdoing in the rented housing matter and was therefore cleared,” the department said in a statement.
However, Sibeko was still facing disciplinary proceedings.
”A process of engagement was initiated by the Department of Public Service and Administration. Following this process, Minister [Richard] Baloyi then decided to initiate disciplinary proceedings against the suspended national commissioner.
”The national commissioner shall remain on suspension until the matter is finalised.”
A team of Correctional Services officials who investigated the allegations recommended that Mareka return to work as soon as possible.
It was alleged that Sibeko and her Gauteng counterpart Thozama Mqobi-Balfour were renting properties in Pretoria’s Woodhill golf estate at a cost of R30 000 a month.
The rentals were being used while official residences remained empty. — Sapa