Pretoria - Black Management Forum (BMF) president Jimmy Manyi did have a conflict of interest when he headed the labour department, Public Protector Thuli Madonsela said on Wednesday.
The same does not apply to his position now as head of government communications, she told the National Press Club.
However, there was "a perceived conflict of interest" and the potential for conflict in his new position needed to be carefully managed. Manyi had to be excluded from some decision-making.
Madonsela's inquiry into Manyi arose from a complaint by Paul Hoffman, a director of the Institute for Accountability. Hoffman made the complaint on May 25 2010.
Manyi was suspended from his post as labour department director general after a complaint by Norwegian ambassador Tor Christian-Hilden. He claimed Manyi had tried to promote his own business interests during a diplomatic meeting.
Madonsela said on Wednesday that the envoy had not been interviewed.
She said that according to information provided to her, Manyi had offered the Norwegians the opportunity to be trained by the BMF on black economic empowerment.
The same does not apply to his position now as head of government communications, she told the National Press Club.
However, there was "a perceived conflict of interest" and the potential for conflict in his new position needed to be carefully managed. Manyi had to be excluded from some decision-making.
Madonsela's inquiry into Manyi arose from a complaint by Paul Hoffman, a director of the Institute for Accountability. Hoffman made the complaint on May 25 2010.
Manyi was suspended from his post as labour department director general after a complaint by Norwegian ambassador Tor Christian-Hilden. He claimed Manyi had tried to promote his own business interests during a diplomatic meeting.
Madonsela said on Wednesday that the envoy had not been interviewed.
She said that according to information provided to her, Manyi had offered the Norwegians the opportunity to be trained by the BMF on black economic empowerment.