Beeld reported it was in possession of the report that was compiled after an investigation originally requested by Minister Lulu Xingwana, and which Xingwana herself, according to the newspaper, does not want to share with Members of Parliament.
Among the report's findings was an allegation that one official was awarded R180 000 for working overtime, a nurse was appointed as a director over someone who was far more qualified for the position, bursaries amounting to thousands of rands was awarded without any repayment agreement, and some of the minister's friends were given preference for senior management positions over better qualified candidates.
The report warned that the department faces possible legal action after determining that officials lacking qualifications and some who even had criminal records were appointed to senior positions.
One of the officials, who had a matric and a diploma in nursing, was appointed to a top position over a candidate who had BA degree in political science, a master's degree in project management and an LLB degree.
Xingwana herself was recently in the crossfire for the alleged purchase of millions of rands worth of luxury office furniture. The Mail & Guardian reported on February 17 that the Democratic Alliance insisted Xingwana be probed for allegedly spending R2.1-million of state funds on decorating her department's head office.
The department's spokesperson Cornelius Monama said disciplinary measures were initiated and that the officials in question were already temporarily suspended with full pay. – Sapa
