South Africa’s department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries has suspended its director general, Mike Mlengana while an internal investigation is pending

According to a press release issued by the department, the suspension serves as a temporary measure and should not be seen as a ruling against Mlengana.

Mooketsa Ramasodi, deputy director-general, will stand in for Mlengana.

Before Mlengana was appointed last year, departmental veteran Mortimer Mannya, deputy director-general for agriculture production, was acting director-general.

This comes after prof Edith Vries’ contract expired in 2015. Vries was a front-runner in academic research, a specialist in management and served as the executive head in the CEO’s office at the Independent Development Trust (IDT).

She is the third permanent director-general since Tina Joemat-Pettersson became Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries in 2009. Njabulo Nduli and Langa Zita served as the previous directors-general. During this period, the department had five acting directors-general.

More details on Mlengana’s suspension is yet to be announced.