Minister Solly Malatsi Fires Two Public Servants from USAASA Board, Orders Repayment of R1.6 Million in Irregular Board Fees

In a bold move aimed at restoring integrity and good governance, Minister of Communications and Digital Technologies, Solly Malatsi, has dismissed two senior public servants from their positions on the board of the Universal Service and Access Agency of South Africa (USAASA). The individuals, Daphne Kula-Rantho and Boitumelo Mabusela, were found to have illegally earned R1.6 million in board fees and have been ordered to repay the funds.

The Fallout: Illegal Earnings and Immediate Dismissals

The two public servants, Kula-Rantho and Mabusela, occupied the roles of board chairperson and ordinary member, respectively. Kula-Rantho, who had served on the board since March 2021, amassed a total of R1,288,966.87 in board fees. Mabusela, who joined the board in October 2023, earned R362,994.02 during her tenure.

Minister Malatsi revealed that both individuals failed to obtain the necessary approvals from their employers to take on additional remunerative work outside their official duties, a legal requirement for civil servants. Despite multiple opportunities provided to them to present evidence of such approvals, both individuals failed to do so.

Legal Framework and Accountability

The decision to remove Kula-Rantho and Mabusela aligns with Clause 13 of the Governance Agreement and Section 83 of the Public Finance Management Act. Malatsi emphasized that his actions were driven by a commitment to uphold the law and maintain the integrity of public institutions.

“I have removed the individuals, who are currently employed as civil servants, for failing to obtain approval and to provide evidence of permission from their employers to conduct additional remunerative work outside their official roles, as is required by law,” Malatsi stated.

Auditor General’s Findings and Recovery of Funds

The Auditor General has categorized the board fees earned by Kula-Rantho and Mabusela as irregular expenditure. In response, Malatsi has instructed the Director-General of the Department of Communications and Digital Technologies (DCDT) to initiate the process of recovering the funds.

Malatsi further highlighted that his predecessor, Mondli Gungubele, had also sought evidence of the necessary approvals but received none. This, coupled with the Auditor General’s findings, underscores the need for stringent measures to ensure accountability within public institutions.

Additional Investigations and Future Steps

In addition to the dismissal of Kula-Rantho and Mabusela, Minister Malatsi has ordered an independent investigation into allegations of abuse of state resources against another board member, Simphiwe Thobela. This investigation will be conducted in collaboration with the acting CEO of USAASA, Luyanda Ndlovu.

“We will immediately initiate processes to replace the two board members,” Malatsi added, signaling a swift response to the governance issues at USAASA.

Restoring Stability at USAASA

Minister Malatsi’s actions reflect a broader commitment to restoring stability and strengthening governance at USAASA, an agency vital to ensuring universal access to digital services across South Africa. By addressing these issues head-on, Malatsi aims to protect public funds and ensure that the agency operates with the highest standards of integrity.