Eastern Cape Transport MEC Thandiswa Marawu’s first year in office has seen her make some major reshuffles in the department’s leadership.
During the last year, Marawu has appointed a new head of corporate services and a new departmental head, both who started work last week and last month respectively.
“For two years without the HOD, this department’s leadership was tested to the utmost limits as it went through moments of uncertainty linked to complex matters in the tension between emergency and foresight, between perception and reality, between desire for public confidence and accountability,” said Marawu.
She said one of the major challenges that faced the department when she took over was a leadership structure with many strategic positions being filled by employees in an acting capacity.
Despite the challenges, her department obtained an unqualified audit report, one of only three departments to achieve this in the province this year.
“To illustrate our commitment to service delivery and clean governance, the department has also received the Southern African Institute of Government Auditors (SAIGA) Public Sector Reporting Award for transparency during the audit process,” said Marawu.
She said it was important to note that during the past year, the department had also grappled with changes brought about by the migration of roads’ function to the new Roads and Public Works department.
She said the department’s achievements were a clear indication that it remained on course to improve its administration and human and financial resources management to provide the public with a safe, efficient, affordable, reliable and sustainable transportation system.
“However, I have also seen some of the weaknesses within our systems, which is why I have pushed tirelessly for the approval of the new organizational structure in order to beef up the organisation, especially units such as our supply chain management, transport planning and district offices,” she added.
Marawu said she was hopeful that the department would start the upcoming financial year with a new organizational structure, as they are currently concluding the consultation process with the Public Service and Administration department.
She added that through the department’s risk management strategy, which includes a fraud prevention plan, they’ve also conducted a risk assessment this year. The information is currently being used to roll out a three-year strategic plan and annual operating audit plan.
“We hope this process will further help us to deal with any element of fraud and corruption. There is no way we can allow corruption to continue to frustrate service delivery,” said Marawu. – Thando Cezula, BuaNews
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