Press Statement dated 22 October 2018
The Public Servants Association (PSA) has demanded that the Government Pension Administration Agency (GPAA) takes immediate steps to rectify a false media statement issued on 1 October 2018 and enforces the suspension of its Chief Financial Officer (CFO), Mr Phumzile Mda.
In the said statement, the GPAA claims that “while Mda remains suspended, a petition signed by 25 of his subordinates alleging incompetence, is now being considered by the agency”.
“The alleged suspension of Mr Mda has never occurred, despite the disciplinary hearing where he was found guilty of calling his subordinates ‘monkeys’ and being sanctioned to two months’ suspension without pay. He has remained on the employer’s premises and has been reporting for duty even after the sanction was passed. The GPAA in its statement failed to indicate the true state of affairs and failed to address a very sensitive issue that directly impacts on the employees involved. These employees are expected to still work in the same environment as the CFO while he should be serving his sanction,” said PSA General Manager, Ivan Fredericks.
The PSA has demanded that the GPAA corrects the current state of affairs by ensuring that the sanction issued against the Mr Mda is implemented, and that the agency retracts the false statement issued on 1 October 2018.
“The PSA awaits legal process that the Department is embarking upon to seek advice on the sanction. The GPAA has sought the advice of its attorneys on whether the issue of the sanction should be taken on review at the Labour Court and indicated that it will provide a response this regard. The GPAA has a duty to ensure justice for the employees who suffered from Mr Mda’s verbal attack,” said Mr Fredericks.
Issued by Ivan Fredericks, General Manager, Public Servants Association (PSA)