21 February 2008

The IFP is not surprised by the sudden suspension of Head of Department of Agriculture Advocate Modidima Mannya in the light of the utterance by the MEC for Finance that the HOD has been under investigation. The Official Opposition assumes Advocate Mannya’s suspension must be the result of that investigation. 

“It is a pity the ruling party, whose nominee Mannya was, chose to tread such a non-transparent path. We will definitely want to see the departmental report on the subject tabled in Parliament,” said Leader of the Official Opposition in KwaZulu Natal Dr Lionel Mtshali. 

The IFP is glad to see the back of advocate Mannya who failed to carry out the much-publicised turn-around strategy in the department following the belated departure of the notorious former HOD Dr Jabulani Mjwara. 

“Advocate Mannya has not only been a poor communicator and a bad manager but also a drain on the taxpayers’ money, milking the department for whatever additional perks he could lay his hands on,” said Dr Mtshali who last year criticised the department’s acquisition on behalf of Mannya of a brand new luxury 4x4 vehicle amid vast overspending. 

The IFP’s suspicions of a complete breakdown in communication within the department were confirmed by the MEC Mthimkhulu’s outburst during a portfolio committee meeting earlier this month where the MEC hinted that “heads would roll”. 

The IFP is aware of another portfolio committee incident last year where Advocate Mannya threatened the departmental staff with managerial interventions that would leave “blood on the floor”. 

“Let us not forget that the new HOD in tandem with the new MEC took over Agriculture last year with a fresh mandate to turn things around. Clearly this has not happened. We would like to see the MEC take his share of responsibility and follow Advocate Mannya’s footsteps soon,” said Dr Mtshali. 

The IFP hopes the ruling party will be ‘third time lucky’ in its choice of Advocate Mannya’s replacement. 
 

Contact: Dr Lionel Mtshali, 083 256 4902