Cape Town – Home Affairs Director General Mkuseli Apleni will challenge his suspension by Home Affairs minister Hlengiwe Mkhize, his lawyer said on Monday.
Mkhize announced Apleni’s precautionary suspension in a short statement on Monday afternoon. No reasons were given for the suspension.
He was appointed to the position in 2010.
In an interview with POWER 98.7, Sandile July from Werksmans Attorneys said there are a “number of grounds” on which they will challenge the suspension.
Apleni can only be placed on suspension by the president who ultimately hired him, July said.
“We are not aware of any delegation that has been given by the president to the minister to suspend. If there is such delegation, we would want to see it.”
Department of Home Affairs spokesperson Thabo Mokgola referred all inquiries to departmental spokesperson Mpume Madlala.
Mkhize and Madlala could not be reached for comment.
Apleni could also not be reached for comment.
Home Affairs Portfolio Committee chair Lemias Mashile told Netwerk24 the decision to suspend Apleni was "a bitter pill to swallow" and he repeatedly said it was a "very worrying move".
"I am sure the minister will inform us about her decision," he said.
The minister was in Parliament earlier in the day to answer questions regarding the granting of citizenship to members of the Gupta family.
Mkhize was replying to EFF MP Hlengiwe Hlophe's parliamentary question. Hlophe had asked what the "exceptional business circumstances" were that led to the family being granted citizenship.
She said the Guptas were granted citizenship based on business investments and social partnerships with 75 North West schools, among other things.
Read the full article here: Guptas granted citizenship due to 'investments, social partnerships'
