“New” KZN agri head suspended

A new acting HOD has been appointed to the KZN Department of Agriculture and Environmental Affairs (DAEA) following the surprise suspension of advocate Modidima Mannya on 21 February 2008. T he new acting HOD, Siddiq Adams was seconded to the department in April 2007 by Provincial Treasury, to spearhead the turnaround strategy of a department brought to its knees by former boss Dr Jabulani Mjwara, who mislaid between R80 million to R100 million that was in department coffers.
S aid DAEA MEC Mtholephi Mthimkhulu, “The appointment of Mr Adams will go a long way to ensure that the service delivery programmes of the department continue uninterrupted, thus ensuring that the constitutional mandate is implemented without hindrance.” Mannya was suspended with full pay pending the outcome of disciplinary proceedings; his hearing is scheduled for 13 March. Last November, the office of KZN premier Sibusiso Ndebele began inquiries into allegations of unhappiness among KZN DAEA staffers about Mannya’s management style. “Mannya has been served with 18 to 27 charges relating to the contravention of the Public Services Act as to how to conduct himself when dealing with members of public, service providers and subservients,” said DAEA spokesperson Mbulelo Baloyi. P resident of the KZN Agricultural Union Robin Barnsley said they’d tried numerous times in vain to arrange an audience with Mannya, who also didn’t appear interested in supporting programmes for emerging farmers. – Lloyd Phillips and Robyn Joubert