The Minister of Public Works and Infrastructure:
1. I requested the State Attorney to appoint the Initiator and Chairperson for the ensuing disciplinary process. An Initiator and Chairperson have been appointed by the State Attorney. The Initiator has prepared draft charges against Ms. Melissa Whitehead. I interacted with the Initiator on 9 December 2020, 27 February 2021 and 1 April 2021. I, further, met with the Initiator and State Attorney in December 2021 to finalise the charge sheet. To this end, charges have been finalised and will be presented to Ms Whitehead in due course. The reason for the delay emanates from one of the implicated officials taking the matter on review, leading to a postponement of these proceedings. I have since received legal advice that I can go ahead with the disciplinary proceedings. The charge sheet is now finalised by the Initiator and will be served on her by 30 March 2022. Hearing dates will be set for April 2022.
2. She has not been placed on suspension.