The DRDLR has been headed by acting DG, Leona Archary, since Mduduzi Shabane was suspended in December 2016.
DRDLR spokesperson, Linda Page, confirmed this week that the department had finalised all processes related to Shabane.
“He has been dismissed,” she said.
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Archary will in the meantime continue to serve in the position, she said.
According to a report by Gareth van Onselen of the Institute for Race Relations, released in August last year, Shabane had started acting as DG towards the end of 2010.
He was permanently appointed a few months later, and his 73-month term under Minister Gugile Nkwinti was ranked as the fourth longest ministerial-DG relationship.
The report, titled ‘Political Musical Chairs: Turnover in the National Executive and Administration since 2009’ analysed the state of affairs since Jacob Zuma became president in May 2009.
The Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (DAFF), was meanwhile also still busy with an investigation into its DG, Mike Mlengana, after he was suspended in July last year.
According to DAFF spokesperson, Bomikazi Molapo, no further updates on the investigation were available.
An urgent interdict brought by Mlengana in the North Gauteng High Court against DAFF to speed up the investigation late last year, was dismissed on urgency but not merit.
Mlengana told Farmer’s Weekly the matter will now be heard on 12 March.
Page was not immediately available to provide further details about Shabane’s dismissal. Farmer’s Weekly is still attempting to get in touch with Shabane to provide him with an opportunity to share his side of the story.
