/ 7 October 2011

Richard Baloyi, deputy ‘at loggerheads’

Richard Baloyi

Tensions are mounting between Public Service and Administration Minister Richard Baloyi and his deputy, Ayanda Dlodlo, say departmental officials.

Dlodlo is said to be complaining that Baloyi is sidelining her when major departmental decisions are made.

Officials close to Dlodlo also accuse Baloyi, appointed by President Jacob Zuma in 2009, of failing to deliver on the department’s mandate and interfering in administrative matters, including the appointment and dismissal of key staff.

Departmental sources claim senior and experienced government officials, including former director general Themba Maseko and former chief information officer Michelle Williams, have been forced out of the department in recent months after differing with Baloyi over operations.

Baloyi and Dlodlo this week denied any tension between them. However, the Mail & Guardian understands the two have recently held meetings to resolve issues, without result.

The chairwoman of Parliament’s public service committee, Joyce Moropa-Moloi, confirmed that the two had been summoned to a meeting by ANC parliamentary chief whip Mathole Motshekga to clarify their roles.

Senior officials close to Dlodlo claim Baloyi failed to consult her on important issues such as the budget vote speech earlier this year and key departmental programmes.

They also accused him of ignoring Dlodlo’s advice not to approve a R1-billion tender for new departmental offices. Dlodlo is understood to have red flagged the proposed tender.

Seniority
The M&G reported in August that Baloyi had approved the tender even though his department had not budgeted for it. The paper also revealed that senior government officials had recommended the Billion Group as the preferred bidder. The Billion Group is linked to Zuma’s son-in-law, Lonwabo Sambudla. Baloyi has denied pushing for the tender in order to benefit Zuma’s relative.

Officials also believe the relationship between the two has been impeded by issues of seniority. Dlodlo sits on the ANC’s national executive committee (NEC) and heads the Umkhonto weSizwe Military Veterans’ Association, while Baloyi is a member of the party’s provincial executive committee (PEC) in Limpopo. Senior departmental officials close to Dlodlo have been angered by Baloyi’s practice of instructing junior officials to relay messages to her. They referred to a recent incident in which he asked his personal assistant to tell Dlodlo to address a public service trainers’ forum in Mangaung, Free State, on his behalf while he attended an ANC provincial executive meeting in Limpopo. As an NEC deployee in Limpopo, Dlodlo is also required to attend PEC meetings there. “She felt that Baloyi undermined her,” said the source.

Government officials close to Baloyi said that he suspected Dlodlo wanted him removed as a minister. “He [Baloyi] once confided to people close to him that Maseko and Dlodlo were plotting to topple him,” said a source.

Maseko said he was not prepared to comment on his tenure at the department.

Baloyi described the allegations against him as unfounded. “Tell your sources — that they should wait until there are tensions. You’re the first one to speak about them. The president never said anything about that.

“Your sources have major interests. People would like to see their picture reflected. If these people think we are fighting and want to end it, why don’t they come forward?” he asked.

He said he met Dlodlo on Wednesday this week and did not sense any tension between them. “If the deputy minister is not comfortable with me, I welcome that. This is all about delivering services to our people,” said Baloyi.

He also denied interfering in administrative matters. “Your source might be referring to interventions I have made in the past. It’s my responsibility, in line with the Public Service Act, to intervene in matters like this. Even when there are tensions between ministers and directors general [it is my obligation to intervene]. We deal with complex issues [on a daily basis]. The Public Service Act allows me to intervene.

“We appoint director generals. If ministers and DGs can’t pull together I come in and try to find an amicable solution, even if it means parting ways,” said Baloyi.

He insisted that his department had performed well.

“We set up the anti-corruption unit. We negotiated a [wage] settlement [of 6.5% with unions]. To say we are not delivering is a fabrication.”