The South African Union Council of Independent Churches (SAUCIC) on Wednesday, 03 September, directed the Public Service Commission (PSC) to investigate the conduct of the suspended National Department of Social Development’s Head of Communication, Lumka Oliphant.
The acting department spokesperson Nomfundo Xulu-Lentsoane said Oliphant had been placed on precautionary suspension over serious allegations of mismanagement against her during 12 months as the acting deputy director-general of corporate support services for the 2024/2025 financial year.
Xulu-Lentsoane said that Oliphant’s suspension had come against the backdrop of an Auditor-General investigation that found “some serious irregularities “ in the Integrated Justice System programme and National Integrated Social Protection Information System during Oliphant’s tenure.
“Given the serious nature of these allegations, Ms Oliphant was duly placed on precautionary suspension, pending an investigation.”
SAUCIC President Cardinal Archbishop Dr Modiri Patrick Shole said that Oliphant’s unprofessional conduct is unprecedented.
“Not only does this unhinged conduct and arrogance undermine the Minister of Social Development, Sisisi Tolashe as the Executive Authority of the department but sets precedence as it has blurred lines of protocol, good governance and accountability,” highlighted Cardinal Shole.
Dr Shole mentioned that a probe by the PSC will be both neutral and objective because a departmental process might be viewed as biased.
Shole emphasised that South Africa’s attendance of conferences aimed at addressing the challenges of gender equality and the empowerment of women was not only desirable but crucial as part of contributing to the global effort.
He said anyone who thinks otherwise does not understand the need for participation at high level platforms like the UN Commission on the Status of Women and Ministerial Conference on Ending Violence Against Children in order to ensure that the country’s response is informed by international best practices, global trends and experiences.
“It is common knowledge that financial expenditure and accountability are the responsibilities of the accounting officer therefore allegations of financial irregularity and or mismanagement should squarely be directed at the Director General of the Department and the Chief Financial Officer,” he stressed.
Shole said that Oliphant’s attacks on Minister Tolashe are unwarranted and disrespectful.
“Her confrontational posture does not belong in the public service nor in the political arena where mud is thrown around because by comparison to the Minister’s political credentials, she is a small fry,” he maintained.
The department might be dealing with an ambitious destabiliser and an individual who could be part of a group that has deeply entrenched its influence to the extent that it is prepared to challenge as well as take on anyone it regards as an outsider such as Minister Tolashe and the newly appointed Deputy Director -General for welfare services, Sizakele Magangoe, he suggested.
