DSD spokesperson, Lumka Oliphant, accuses dept of suspending her on trumped-up charges

CAPE TOWN - Long serving spokesperson, Lumka Oliphant, has accused the Social Development Department of suspending her on trumped-up charges.

Oliphant released a scathing statement on Monday, saying she was suspended because Minister Sisisi Tolashe believes she leaked information to the Sunday Times newspaper.

Her suspension follows an expose in the paper about the department's travel expenses and paying R3 million on hotel accommodation in New York.

On Monday, Oliphant confirmed her suspension, but she slammed the department and Tolashe for the decision.

Oliphant said Tolashe believes that she leaked the information to the Sunday Times as well as previous reports by the City Press where Oliphant once worked in yesteryears.

She added officials are targeting her because of her links to previous the previous Social Development Minister Bathabile Dlamini.

But Oliphant maintained the charges against her are trumped up, because they are related to the Auditor General (AG)’s findings related to the poor management of the South African Social Security Agency (SASSA) and a qualified audit.

Oliphant said the AG's findings have nothing to do with her and should be directed at the Director General.