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Sowetan reports that more than 500 employees in the Gauteng department of roads and transport are on the verge of losing their jobs due to a new proposed organisational structure.
This is contained in an internal memo signed in August to freeze 513 vacant posts against the current “approved” structure and some which have been filled. The 75-page document states that MEC Ismael Vadi and head of department Ronald Swartz, working with a team comprising the sub-directorate in organisational development of the department and the provincial treasury, should “assess the current vacancies against the newly proposed structure”.
These retrenchments, which have not come into effect, will reduce the current vacancy rate from 29% to 15%, costing the department about R172-million.
But with the proposed structure, 120 posts will be advertised, which will cost the department over R80-million. “However, there are no approved posts on the current structure for these positions, but there are vacant posts that are recommended for abolishment which are no longer required by the department and can be used for these appointments until new structure is concurred,” the memo states.
The report, which Sowetan has obtained, was supported by Vadi, Swartz and the department’s chief financial officer, Sanele Zondo, who all signed it between October and November.
Department spokeswoman Melitah Madiba insisted there would be no job losses as a result of the new structure. “There will be no job losses for staff currently employed in the department,” she said.
She confirmed 507 vacant and unfunded posts had been abolished as they were in excess of requirements, and said the posts had not been filled in the last five years.
The original of this report by Neo Goba appeared on page 2 of Sowetan of 25 June 2018
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