Justice minister suspends deputy DG over commission delays

CRITICAL FAILURES

- HOPE NTANZI [e-mail]

MINISTER of Justice and Constitutional Development Mmamoloko Kubayi says Deputy Director-General Jabu Hlatshwayo has been suspended following critical failures that led to delays in the commencement of the Madlanga Commissions of Inquiry.

Kubayi confirmed during a media briefing yesterday that Hlatshwayo, who is responsible for ICT in the Department of Justice, was suspended with immediate effect pending a full investigation and disciplinary process.

“I had immediately put the DDG responsible for ICT, Mr Jabu Hlatshwayo, on immediate suspension pending a full investigation and a disciplinary process,” Kubayi said.

She added that President Cyril Ramaphosa had also delegated powers to her to initiate disciplinary proceedings against the department's Director-General, Advocate Doc Mashabane, due to the lapses that resulted in the commissions being unable to begin hearings on September 1 as originally planned.

“With the report submitted, the President then communicated the request, the President then delegated to the Minister of Justice and Constitutional Development powers to institute disciplinary proceedings against the Director-General of the Department of Justice and Constitutional Development, Advocate Doc Mashabane, and this decision has been communicated to him this afternoon,’ Kubayi said.