Position of the Deputy Director General on African and Multilateral Relations in the Department of Foreign Affairs

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NATIONAL ASSEMBLY

FOR ORAL REPLY

QUESTION NO: 39

PUBLISHED IN INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER NO 3 OF 19 FEBRUARY 2008
Mrs S M Camerer (DA) to ask the Minister of Foreign Affairs:

Whether a certain person (name furnished) still holds the position of Deputy Director
General (DDG) on African and Multilateral Relations in her department; if not, (a) when
did the said person leave this position and (b) until when was this person paid by her
department; if so, (i) what is the relationship between her position as DDG and her job
as Chief Spokesperson for the ANC and (ii) how much time does she spend in her job
as DDG?

REPLY:

Ambassador J Duarte was appointed to the National Executive Committee of the ANC at its last National Conference that was held in December 2007. She was subsequently appointed as its spokesperson.

Following the above mentioned developments, Ambassador Duarte held discussions with the Director-General during January 2008 with regard to her position in the Department. It was decided that she would resign from the service of the Department with effect from 29 February 2008. It was further agreed that she would take leave with effect from 1 February 2008 until the date of her resignation (29 February 2008) in order to exhaust her leave days due to her.

In terms of item G2.3 of the Public Service Regulations, a monthly paid employee must give one month of written notice of resignation unless otherwise agreed by the Executing Authority. In the Department, the authority to serve a shorter notice period for members of the Senior Management Service is delegated to the Director-General.

Given the circumstances of Ambassador Duarte’s situation and in the interest of the Department, requirement for her to serve the notice period was effectively waived by the Department. Ambassador Duarte performed the functions associated with her new position in the ANC after she had tendered her resignation in the Department, during her leave period.

(a) The said employee tendered a resignation with effect from 29th of February 2008.

(b) The employee would be paid until her resignation.

(i) There is no relationship.

(ii) None as the employee is on official leave.

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