NGO Right to Justice will today open a criminal case against Ayanda Dakela at the Hillbrow Police Station.
Right to Justice Chairperson Siphesihle Jele wants Dakela charged for corruption allegedly committed at the Department of Health.
Dakela was suspended on March 2024 through a heavy-handed letter from the department’s Director General Dr Sandile Buthelezi.
Jele said while Dakela was suspended for unauthorised interference with procurement processes at the Independent Development Trust (IDT) and entering into an agreement and/or issuing instructions that were beyond his scope of delegation, these accusations needed to be tested in light of the South African law.
“Allegations of corruption in the public sector must be left to internal government process. If there are accusations, which are in this case very serious, the law should be involved in that investigation. Gone are the days when the abuse of public institutions and public funds are vented out in other public institutions, outside of law enforcement agencies. Corruption must be dealt with through courts, the role of civil society is to ensure that,” Jele said.
Jele is also the former advisor to Johannesburg mayor Kabelo Gwamanda.
The Department of Health has also accused Dakela if failure to declare critical information during his interview and appointment process.
“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” the department said in its letter to Dakela.
“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.
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.
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.”
De Lille accused Dakela of using ministerial letterheads to communicate with various people or entities without the authorisation of the minister or the department.
Responding to The Star’s questions last week 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. “And in 2024, I exposed procure- ment irregularities for the following projects: (1) Tambo Memorial Hospital project (2) Oxygen Supply project to various hospitals across the country (3) Broadband Telecommunication Services to various clinics across the country.”
The Star