Solly Malatsi dismisses two board members of Usaasa

In his first In a significant move since taking office as Communications Minister, Solly Malatsi has dismissed two board members of the Universal Service and Access Agency of South Africa (USASA).

The decision to dismiss Daphne Kula-Rantho and Boitumelo Mabusela was taken “in an effort to restore stability and good governance in the company,” the ministry said in a statement on Monday evening.

Usaasa collects funds from licensed telecommunications companies and is supposed to use this money to develop infrastructure and services in underserved parts of the country. Since its founding in 1996, the company has been the scene of numerous corruption scandals.

“I have dismissed the individuals currently employed as civil servants for failing to obtain approval and proof of permission from their employer to perform additional paid work in addition to their official role, as required by law,” Malatsi said in the statement.

The minister dismissed the two directors under the Public Management Act. According to the statement, all amounts earned by Kula-Ranto and Mabusela during their tenure at Usaasa were flagged as irregular expenditure by the Auditor-General.

Kula-Ranto is said to have earned R1.29 million from March 2021 to July 2024, while Mabusela is said to have earned R366 994 from October 2023 to July 2024. The Auditor-General has instructed the Communications Department to recover this money, a total of R1.65 million, from the dismissed individuals.

Separate investigation

Malatsi has also launched a separate investigation with acting Usaasa CEO Luyanda Ndlovu to establish the veracity of allegations of misuse of state resources against another Usaasa board member, Simphiwe Thobela.

“We will not tolerate the misuse of public funds in favour of persons who do not respect the laws of our country. In order to restore stability and strengthen good governance at Usaasa, we will immediately initiate processes to arrest the two [axed] Board members,” said Malatsi. – © 2024 NewsCentralMedia

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