The ANC in Parliament has welcome “the damning report” issued by the Public Protector, Advocate Busisiwe Mkhwebane, against the Board of Directors at the Universal Service and Access Agency (USAASA).
The ANC said it was satisfied with the Public Protector’s findings and remedial actions in respect of the USAASA board.
The ANC Parliamentary caucus said it also supported the finding that the Minister take decisive and appropriate action against USAASA Board of Directors for violations that include failure to heed to advice from Treasury and the Auditor General in relation to the “unnecessary, reckless and unconscionable” use of public funds.
The ANC said that Parliament’s Portfolio Committee on Telecommunications and Postal Services rejected the presentation by the USAASA Board, led by Cawe Mawethu, in April 2018, where it became clear that this Board was a law unto themselves.
It said at the same meeting the Committee was informed of the suspension of the USAASA Chief Executive Officer, Lumko Mtimde, which eventually led to the reporting “of these unlawful actions by the Board” to the Public Protector.
“This ruling by the Public Protector sets a good governance precedence against abuse of power by some in the Boards of State Owned Entities,” said ANC Parliamentary spokesperson, Nonceba Mhlauli.
“It is a lesson that those who accept fiduciary responsibilities to serve in Boards must learn from. The actions and contraventions of law by USAASA Board are criminal in nature and deserves harsh action, as a lesson to avoid these in future,” she said.
(Image: Corruption Watch)
