Public Works Minister Geoff Doidge has revealed that his chief operating officer Solly Malebye - who he wants suspended for an unrelated matter - has a criminal record.
The latest revelation about Malebye's criminal record emerged in a parliamentary reply from Doidge.
DA MP James Masango had asked the minister if his department had policy guidelines for the appointment of people with a criminal record, and if any current staff members had criminal records.
Doidge replied that the department had no such guidelines, also revealing that two employees - a "regional manager and the chief operating officer" - had criminal records.
Doidge and Malebye have been embroiled in a bitter fight which saw the minister remove Malebye two weeks ago as the acting director-general for the department.
This was after Malebye defied an instruction from Doidge to award a R45 million contract to law firm Cliffe Dekker Hofmeyr without putting it out to tender. Malebye argued that it was not the responsibility of the minister to award tenders and that it was against Treasury regulations.
Doidge wants Malebye suspended for a dispute over a contract that happened 18 months ago - despite appointing him as acting director-general in April this year.
When contacted for comment, Malebye refused to answer the question directly and referred questions to acting director-general Sam Vukela.
Vukela was not available for comment, but departmental spokesman Koketso Sachane confirmed that the minister was referring to Malebye as "the chief operating officer with a criminal record".
But he could not readily indicate what transgression had been committed by Malebye.
A month ago, Science and Technology Minister Naledi Pandor also revealed that 12 members of her staff - ranging from senior managers to skilled employees - have criminal records.
Pandor also admitted that she did not have a policy on the issue.
The Saturday Star 21/11/09
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