10th April 2008

The IFP has condemned the provincial government's secrecy surrounding yet another high profile departure from the civil service - that of Dr Busi Nyembezi, former Head of Department at Health. 

"The IFP is particularly critical of the culture of non-transparency that has enveloped recent departures from the province's civil service," said Leader of the Official Opposition in KwaZulu Natal, Dr Lionel Mtshali.  

This includes, according to Dr Mtshali, the government's reluctance to publish incriminating reports which leaves some officials suspended without them and the public knowing the exact reasons.  

The IFP is equally concerned about the Premier's frenetic attempts to negotiate smooth exit strategies with some suspended officials, as was the case with Dr Nyembezi as well as former HOD at Agriculture Dr Jabulani Mjwara. 

"These efforts seem focused on motivating suspended officials to withhold crucial information from public scrutiny. The generosity of exit packages on offer suggests that the Premier may be attempting to buy some officials' silence," said Dr Mtshali. 

The IFP fears that the methods of parting with incriminated officials employed by the provincial government have resulted in a climate of non-transparency and secrecy which stand in the way of effective public scrutiny. 

Contact: Dr Lionel Mtshali, 083 256 4902