By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
File Photo.
The director-general at the Department of Public Enterprises Kgathatso Tlakudi has been placed on precautionary suspension.
This came after a whistle-blower allegation regarding his conduct in the process to appoint a security manager at the department.
The suspension, at the instruction of justice and correctional services minister Ronald Lamola, was announced by the department on Friday.
In a statement on Friday, the department said a complaint had been laid against Kgathatso Tlhakudi at the Public Service Commission.
It said in accordance with government protocol, the president delegated the matter to Justice and Correctional Services Minister Ronald Lamola for further processing.
“The matter was investigated by an external investigator and the report was referred to the presidency for consideration.
“The minister of justice and correctional services has placed the director-general of the Department of Public Enterprises on precautionary suspension with immediate effect until the disciplinary process is completed.”
It is also said there had been tension brewing between the DG and his boss Pravin Gordhan — with the former apparently being frustrated at being shut out of some key actions and processes inside the department.