MINISTER SACKS TWO USAASA BOARD MEMBERS IN BID TO CLEAN UP DEEP-SEATED CORRUPTION
Communications Minister Solly Malatsi has made a bold move to shake off the rot at the Universal Service and Access Agency of South Africa (Usaasa) by axing two board members, Daphne Kula-Rantho and Boitumelo Mabusela, in a dramatic bid to restore stability and good governance to the entity.
But it’s not just about replacing two individuals – this is a full-blown revolution aimed at rooting out the cancer of corruption that has plagued Usaasa since its inception in 1996. The minister’s actions are a direct challenge to the status quo and a promise to the public that he will not tolerate the abuse of public funds for personal gain.
CORRUPTION UNMASKED
The axe fell on Kula-Ranto and Mabusela for their brazen disregard of the law. They were earning illicit salaries, with Kula-Ranto raking in a whopping R1.29-million between March 2021 and July 2024, while Mabusela allegedly earned R366 994 between October 2023 and July 2024. The auditor-general has flagged these payments as irregular expenditure, and Malatsi has ordered the recovery of a total of R1.65-million from the sacked individuals.
A NEW ERA OF ACCOUNTABILITY
Malatsi’s actions send a strong message that the days of impunity are over. He has launched a separate investigation into allegations of abuse of state resources against another Usaasa board member, Simphiwe Thobela, and has vowed to replace the two sacked board members with individuals who share his commitment to transparency and accountability.
"We will not tolerate the abuse of public funds for the benefit of individuals who fail to uphold the laws of our country," Malatsi declared. "To restore stability and to strengthen good governance at Usaasa, we will immediately initiate processes to replace the two board members."
A BRIGHTER FUTURE FOR USAASA
As the dust settles on this bold move, one thing is clear: the future of Usaasa is brighter than ever. With Malatsi at the helm, the agency is poised to embark on a new era of transparency, accountability, and good governance. The people of South Africa deserve no less.