North West on allegations of lack of qualifications of department heads

Media statement on the allegations regarding the lack of qualifications of the Head of Department of Social Development

The Office of the Premier has received numerous inquiries regarding the allegations of lack of qualifications of the Head of Department of Social Development. 

We wish to state that over the past year, the North West Provincial Government has filled five (5) vacancies of Heads of Departments of Health, Public Works & Roads, Arts, Culture, Sport & Recreation, Agriculture & Rural Development and Social Development. 

All these appointments including that of HoD of Social Development were done in line with the Public Service Act, and with concurrence of the Minister of Public Service and Administration.

Allegations against the appointment and qualifications of the HoD for Social Development surfaced in 2021 and the matter was reported to the Public Protector of South Africa (PPSA) for investigation.

We cooperated with the PPSA throughout and made sure that all available documentation on the appointment of the Social Development HoD were shared.

At the point of the appointment of the HoD, the information available to the Premier as verified both by the Office of the Premier, SAQA and the Department of Public Service & Administration confirmed Mr Mafokane’s qualifications and required experience to occupy the position of the Head of Department and concurrence was obtained from the Minister of Public Service and Administration following further scrutiny by Department of Public Service and Administration.

We view the persistent allegations in the media very seriously. We are committed to the professionalisation of the Public Service through the appointment of suitably qualified people, and the appointment of Heads of Departments is central to this commitment.

We urge all to wait for the PPSA final report on this matter of which we will make its contents public. We will also engage the PPSA to close this matter as soon as possible. 

Source: Government of South Africa