Signs of a changing of the guard?

[Dave A]

Not the sort of news we're used to seeing.

Two senior Mpumalanga education officials have been fired after the department lost more than R1-million in the past financial year, it said on Tuesday.

Spokesperson Jasper Zwane said in a statement that Jerry Tshoba, who was the chief director of corporate services and Michael Mogorosi, the former deputy director general designated chief
financial officer were dismissed following a disciplinary hearing earlier this month.

Zwane said the dismissals followed an investigation into allegations of financial misconduct in the department during the 2006/2007 financial year.
full story from M&G here

Is government taking a tougher stance on incompetence, meddling and corruption?

[wynn]

Nope, just an excuse to replace them with their own pals.

[garthu]

Nope, just an excuse to replace them with their own pals.

Now to completely honest, that was exactly my thought...

[Debbiedle]

We live in hope?

[garthu]

We live in hope??

For sure! My first impression was great, then started to ponder on it and thats when got negative

Flip sides are the new government needs to make a good impression and changes in such areas, they really do and this could be part of

Then the bit creeps in as to how much the elect detests the press/legal system... and then i begin to wonder.

I really think the true colours as to actual intention will only be seen in some months - cross fingers

[Dave A]

But they were fired! Have you ever heard of such a thing?

Not redeployed, not paid off to plunder elsewhere - D-I-S-M-I-S-S-E-D.

And on the grounds of irregular procurement that only cost an extra R1 million or so.

It seems so.... foreign.

[garthu]

You right actually, never saw it that way... maybe a times are changing..

[Dave A]

Good grief! I saw a taxi stop at a red traffic light this morning!

Yes, I know it happens from time to time, normally only 5 seconds or more after it's changed to red. But this one - honestly - if he had put his foot flat he could have crossed the line on amber. I wanted to give him a medal!

On a slightly more significant note, interesting changes to the cabinet. One thing is clear, JZ & co. have put some thought into this. The shuffling and restructuring of portfolios are far from arbitrary.

Here is an article on who didn't make the cut.

Looking around the media, Trevor Manuel's move to planning is making headlines, but has no-one noticed the Trade and Industry portfolio? It's gone to Rob Davies of the SACP. A communist in charge of trade and industry! That should be interesting.

I also wonder what the legal eagles are going to read into Jeff Radebe's appointment as Minister of Justice.

[Dave A]

More dismissals ahead. So maybe JZ & co. mean business.

The soldiers who embarked on illegal and violent protest at the Union Buildings will be dismissed following legal processes, Minister of Defence and Military Veterans Lindiwe Sisulu said on Thursday.

"We have decided following legal processes available to the defence force and within the defence force to proceed with the ultimate sanction that will allow the soldiers to separate, which means they will be dismissed," she said as she left a briefing in Pretoria.

Acting chief of the South African National Defence Force, General Themba Matanzima, said between 1 500 and 2 000 soldiers took part in the illegal march on Wednesday.

However, he assured the public that the army was a disciplined organisation.
full story from M&G here

But striking soldiers is not a good sign of the state of discipline in the military, whatever the General may claim.

[I Robot]

Parliament on soldiers' protest action

Portfolio Committee on Defence and Military Veterans on soldiers' protest action

27 August 2009

Parliament's Portfolio Committee on Defence and Military Veterans regrets the protest action taken by unionised members of the South African National Defence Force (SANDF) yesterday.

The committee is aware of the grievances and frustrations of military unions as expressed in correspondence received and urges that grievances be voiced in a responsible manner that does not compromise national security or military discipline and professionalism.

The committee reiterates Parliament's commitment to the creation of an effective people's Parliament, responsive to the needs of all South Africans and driven by the ideal of a better life for all. We would like to assure all members of the SANDF that the effective resolution of all matters that can impact on the morale and wellbeing of soldiers remains a priority.

Finally we appeal that any action taken, should be taken responsibly and should not tarnish the SANDF's image.

More...

[Dave A]

The first step in solving problems is acknowledging they exist.

There is a serious problem with discipline in the SA National Defence Force (SANDF), Defence and Military Veterans Minister Lindiwe Sisulu admitted on Tuesday.

"You're right, there is a problem with discipline... a serious problem of discipline in the defence force," she told members of Parliament's defence and military veterans portfolio committee.

Responding to questions, she said if there were no problems "we wouldn't have had the problem we had on the lawns at the Union Buildings" two weeks ago.
full story from IOL here

Well done Lindiwe!

[Debbiedle]

blegh! I was hopeful too and slowly starting to wonder if I had underestimated the JZ administration until the news report recently that the sleeping mayor will not be dismissed as no official complaint was received...

[Dave A]

You might be right, Debbie.

The South African National Defence Force (SANDF) will, for at least the next two months, not fire any soldiers who took part in an alleged illegal protest march at the Union Buildings in Pretoria last month.

The South African National Defence Union (Sandu) on Wednesday took Defence Minister Lindiwe Sisulu and the chief of the SANDF to court to stop its members from being dismissed and to declare the procedure adopted in dismissal notices served on them unconstitutional.

After several hours of negotiations, the minister late on Wednesday afternoon undertook not to dismiss any of Sandu's members as a result of the August 26 march, pending the finalisation of the union's urgent application.

In terms of the settlement, the SANDF may also not remove any of the soldiers' benefits, but may "redeploy" them, provided they remain geographically in the same area.

This could include placing them on special leave on full pay, with the retention of their benefits.
full story from M&G here

At this rate, there will have to be consultation before every order in the military.

"Troops, attention!"

"We were not consulted before this order was given"
"Why must we come to attention?"
"Has the definition of attention been documented and properly signed off by all those who are expected to come to attention?"

[Marq]

Attention Deficit Disorder??

[Marq]

They also want guarantees that if redeployed it will be in the same area.

"The regiment is going up to the Border to defend our country."
"Oh can' t do Sir"...."Union says we have not been consulted and we cannot be deployed beyond a 5 km radius of where we live with our families....Sir"
"Oh and as for that sleeping on the hard ground in a sleeping bag stuff...Sir....Thats also out now". "We demand a 5 star hotel or equivalent like we currently use and our wives and families and girlfriends within close distance to look after us...Sir"
" Oh and did we mention the noise decibel levels of the rifles that you make us use...Sir....We refuse to use them until the levels are brought down to an acceptable range so that our eardrums are not put into danger....Sir"
"And while we are about it...Sir....that corporal that shouts at us Sir, uses unacceptable racist, vitriol, hatred speech and he is not available now to lead us, Sir as he is suspended with full pay until further notice or until his hearing comes up, regarding this matter of shouting at the troops, which ever is the shorter or longer of the period in question in terms of section 666 subsection b of the our union rules and procedure manual.....Sir"

"Troop........get the &*&^%$(*& out of my sight before I put my bayonet through your ears, use your peel as kick start and drive you round like a Harley Davidson"

"Yes Sir........but our Union does not like us to be used as motorised transport when we can now use the new BRT system to go home"