South Africa's science minister Derek Hanekom dismissed the chief executive officer of the Technology and Innovation Agency on 1 April, after a forensic report by consultancy firm Deloitte found the latter guilty of misconduct.
Simphiwe Duma was officially released from his duties as of 31 March. The TIA’s erstwhile chief financial officer, Barbara Kortjass, was also fired as a result of the findings. The two have been suspended since October.
The report recommends that Duma and Kortjass be investigated by the police on charges of corruption involving a tender to survey innovation tools for government. Duma was found to have “misrepresented” the urgency of the matter to subordinates, which led to a company, Ilizwi, being appointed to which he was affiliated. Both he and Kortjass weren’t authorised to approve the tender, the report states.
Duma and Kortjass are cited for other improper finances related to subsistence claims, negligence and wasteful expenses. He is also said to have irregularly appointed his ex-wife and another person to senior positions within the agency.
Finally, Duma authorised a controversial R4.5 million contribution to the Terbrugge Project, a cattle-rearing project in Limpopo. Deloitte found this project was outside of the TIA’s mandate, and also did not meet the agency’s selection criteria.
Deloitte also scrutinised Agang leader Mamphela Ramplele’s alleged preferential treatment in the Terbugge Project, given that she was head of the TIA board at the time.
Ramphele was found not to have personally benefitted from the project, but two trusts she was involved in did benefit. She was not part of the approval process of the project.
Hanekom said the TIA board would discuss candidates to replace the vacant posts.
“The focus now will be on the recruitment of a suitably skilled and qualified individual, who will add to the strength of the agency’s board and ensure that the day-to-day operations of the agency are conducted competently, with honesty and integrity,” he said in a statement.
Mkhululi Mazibuko, the TIA’s Chief Operating Officer, and Werner van der Merwe will serve as temporary CEO and CFO respectively.