Status on the redeployment of a certain ambassador after she had been relieved of her duties because of allegations of fraud and corruption
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NATIONAL ASSEMBLY
FOR WRITTEN REPLY
QUESTION NO: 2945 (NW3417E)
PUBLISHED IN INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER NO 30-2011 OF 23 SEPTEMBER 2011
Mr L Ramatlakane (COPE) to ask the Minister of International Relations and Cooperation:
- Whether a certain person (name furnished) has been redeployed as ambassador after she had been relieved of her duties (details furnished is MEC for Health) because of allegations of fraud and corruption; if not, what criteria has been followed to test her suitability;
- whether she will be allowed to stand trial regarding the allegations; if not, why not;
- whether her department has investigated the allegations; if not, why not; if so, (a) what was the outcome and (b) where can a copy of the report be obtained;
- whether it is in line with the policy of her department to make such appointment; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details;
- whether she will make a statement on the matter?
REPLY
- The said person has been appointed as Ambassador designate. Allegations against the designate Ambassador have not been tested in court and therefore the said person is presumed innocent until proven otherwise.
- The Department is not aware of any criminal proceedings being instituted against the said person by the National Prosecuting Authority.
- No the employer-employee relationship between the Department and the said person only came into effect after the person’s appointment as Ambassador designate.
- The appointment of Ambassadors to represent South Africa abroad is the exclusive prerogative of the President. The Heads of Mission represent the Head of State abroad. Therefore, according to the Constitution, their appointment is the sole prerogative of the President. The Department provides the President with recommendations on appointment of Heads of Mission.
- No
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