Share

Suspended director gets R3m salary ‘for doing nothing’

Johannesburg - A former director of the water affairs department has been drawing a R3m salary following his suspension two years ago, the Sunday Independent reported.

Maxwell Sirenya clashed with the then water affairs minister Edna Molewa over a R419m tender in 2013, according to the newspaper.

The information technology contract for Business Connexion pitted Molewa and former public administration minister Lindiwe Sisulu against each other, with Sirenya in the middle.

According to the newspaper, Molewa and Sisulu clashed over whether Molewa was right in invoking the law to award the tender to Business Connexion.

State departments were required to use the services of the State Information Technology Agency (Sita), but Molewa lost patience with the agency and its delays, according to the report.

Sirenya defied Molewa and sided with Sisulu. The matter would be resolved with new minister Nomvula Mokonyane expected to lift the suspension pending a new agreement, according to the newspaper.

"As you know, there has been a change of ministers. We're busy talking with the current minister [Mokonyane]."

"It started in February 2013. I am not at work. I am at home, I am being paid for doing nothing," Sirenya was quoted as saying.

Sirenya spent almost R300 000 in legal costs to defend himself. Molewa took away some of his payments and allowances, he told the newspaper.

His case was not unique and many director generals have found themselves in a similar situation, he told the publication.

Mokonyane's chief of staff Collin Pitso told the newspaper that the matter was close to being settled.

We live in a world where facts and fiction get blurred
Who we choose to trust can have a profound impact on our lives. Join thousands of devoted South Africans who look to News24 to bring them news they can trust every day. As we celebrate 25 years, become a News24 subscriber as we strive to keep you informed, inspired and empowered.
Join News24 today
heading
description
username
Show Comments ()
Rand - Dollar
18.89
+0.3%
Rand - Pound
23.82
+0.4%
Rand - Euro
20.37
+0.3%
Rand - Aus dollar
12.30
+0.3%
Rand - Yen
0.12
+0.3%
Platinum
908.05
0.0%
Palladium
1,014.94
0.0%
Gold
2,232.75
-0.0%
Silver
24.95
-0.1%
Brent Crude
87.00
+1.8%
Top 40
68,346
0.0%
All Share
74,536
0.0%
Resource 10
57,251
0.0%
Industrial 25
103,936
0.0%
Financial 15
16,502
0.0%
All JSE data delayed by at least 15 minutes Iress logo
Company Snapshot
Editorial feedback and complaints

Contact the public editor with feedback for our journalists, complaints, queries or suggestions about articles on News24.

LEARN MORE
Government tenders

Find public sector tender opportunities in South Africa here.

Government tenders
This portal provides access to information on all tenders made by all public sector organisations in all spheres of government.
Browse tenders