Azra Hoosen | ah@radioislam.co.za
13 December 2024 | 15:45 CAT
2 min read

The State Information Technology Agency (SITA) is under scrutiny following allegations of corruption, irregular procurement practices, leadership instability, and service delivery failures that have hindered its ability to meet its mandate. Communications and Digital Technologies Minister Solly Malatsi has called on the Public Service Commission to launch a comprehensive investigation into the agency.

In an interview with Radio Islam, Kwena Moloto, spokesperson for the Ministry of Communications and Digital Technologies, revealed that SITA, the agency responsible for procuring ICT tools for government departments, has faced persistent challenges. He noted that issues raised by the South African Police Service and Home Affairs have prompted a parliamentary inquiry into the agency’s operations.

Moloto explained that a parliamentary oversight committee visited SITA’s offices earlier this week. Feedback from the agency’s executive committee highlighted a complete breakdown in accountability within the organisation. Additionally, it was reported that SITA’s supply chain mechanisms have deteriorated significantly, raising serious concerns about its operations.

“Given the fact that it’s got such a large budget and such an important role in inside really transforming, you know, the digital economy with inside South Africa, the Minister approached the public service commission, and they requested an investigation. And we’re happy to announce that they responded yesterday and have committed to investigating this matter,” he said.

Moloto highlighted that SITA’s longstanding issues went unchecked due to a lack of political will within the department. While a ministerial task team was appointed by the previous administration to address the problems, it failed to make a significant impact. A major challenge has been leadership instability, with frequent board removals. When Minister Malatsi took office, the Supreme Court of Appeal ruled that the previous board had been removed unlawfully, requiring him to reinstate it. “I think that a lot of the efforts from previous administrations actually worsened the leadership instability that existed and created multiple centres of power. That’s really what the EXCO members at SITA at the parliamentary oversight committee meeting raised as one of the biggest reasons SITA is where it is today,” he said.

He expressed optimism about the Public Service Commission’s investigation into SITA, emphasizing the urgency of addressing the agency’s challenges. He noted that the investigation would also examine the broader safety of ICT infrastructure in South Africa, highlighting the need for swift and decisive action to resolve these issues.

Moloto shared positive news, stating that the minister will soon call for new board member nominations at SITA. With the current board’s term ending in January, the goal is to bring in experienced individuals passionate about ICT and digital transformation to help turn the agency around.

He emphasised the severe impact of SITA’s inefficiencies on essential public services. For instance, delays of over a year in procuring critical ICT hardware for the South African Police Service (SAPS) directly hinder their ability to fulfil their duties, affecting public safety. Similar challenges affect the Department of Home Affairs and other entities. Moloto noted ongoing discussions within the department to reform policies, allowing departments to bypass SITA for ICT procurement under certain conditions, ensuring quicker and more cost-effective solutions while avoiding bottlenecks.

According to Moloto, South Africa’s push towards digital transformation is hindered by SITA’s inefficiencies, with the organisation struggling to keep pace as the world advances into the 5th Industrial Revolution while the country still grapples with the 4th. The Ministry of Communications and Digital Technologies is working to address this bottleneck by engaging legal teams to issue policy directives allowing government departments to procure their own ICT software and hardware if they can do so more efficiently than SITA.

The current SITA board’s term ends on January 31, 2024, and the ministry is committed to appointing a new board that prioritises accountability and transparency. The ongoing Public Service Commission investigation is expected to determine whether supply chain irregularities warrant SIU involvement and provide a roadmap for the incoming board to reform SITA.

“I think it’s all about accountability, transparency, and that’s the new chapter that we’re trying to start at SITA, but also inside the department, broadly,” he said.

Given SITA’s significant budget and influence, the ministry aims to ensure responsible management and efficient service delivery to drive South Africa’s digital transformation.

LISTEN to the full interview with Ml Habib Bobat and ministry spokesperson Kwena Moloto, here.