SITA executives tell Parliament committee about culture of fear at the state entity
On Wednesday, SITA executives briefed the portfolio committee of communications and digital technologies, during an oversight visit at the struggling entity.
Picture: @sitasocltd/X
CAPE TOWN - State Information Technology Agency (SITA) executives say they are living in fear to speak out about shenanigans at the state entity.
On Wednesday, SITA executives briefed the portfolio committee of communications and digital technologies, during an oversight visit at the struggling entity.
The committee also discussed a whistleblower report where allegations are made about the irregular appointment of the managing director, which is also before the Public Protector.
The committee’s oversight visit became tense, with the SITA board coming under fire from Members of Parliament (MPs) for interfering in procurement as well as leadership instability.
Company officials were also given a chance to voice their concerns about their working conditions and the board.
One of the executives, Gopal Reddy, said they were mostly sidelined, and supply chain was all but dead.
“There are people being moved in the organisation. Exco is not taken into confidence. Exco members that are here are fearful to stand up and talk. I’m doing it on behalf of them because I know what it takes.”
Another executive, Cyril Baloyi, warned against officials fighting in public and openly disagreeing.
“It’s scary and we are in a public platform. Even if we don’t agree on something we should sit down and discuss.”
The board said it supports a formal investigation into all allegations of irregular procurement and infighting.