Johannesburg — WATER and Environmental Affairs Minister Buyelwa Sonjica has placed director-general Pam Yako on special leave, pending an investigation into allegations of financial irregularities and mismanagement in the department.

Sonjica said yesterday no charges had been levelled against Yako or any official yet, and Yako remained innocent until the outcome of the probe.

Yako is the latest high-profile public servant to be suspended or fired in recent weeks as President Jacob Zuma 's administration wields the axe on corruption and financial mismanagement.

Her suspension comes just more than a year after she was appointed to the post. The allegations are said to have surfaced while Lindiwe Hendricks was water affairs minister.

"As a responsive government committed to clean and efficient governance, we had to look into these allegations with the seriousness they deserve," Sonjica said.

A source close to the issue said the allegations were related to millions of rands in wasteful expenditure by the department allegedly authorised by Yako, and tender irregularities and corruption.

Yako was appointed director- general of the Department of Water Affairs and Forestry in March last year by former president Thabo Mbeki , after her term as director-general of the Department of Environmental Affairs and Tourism (DEAT) had ended. It is understood she was moved from DEAT after her relationship with former DEAT minister Marthinus van Schalkwyk had broken down.

"We trust that the minister will address the portfolio committee on the matter of the investigation and the DG's (director-general's) special leave as soon as Parliament reconvenes in August," Democratic Alliance spokesman Gareth Morgan said.

Yako could not be reached for comment yesterday.

Last week, Correctional Services Minister Nosiviwe Mapisa- Nqakula suspended national commissioner Xoliswa Sibeko and the department's acting chief financial officer, Nandi Mareka, after allegations of renting accommodation at "exorbitant cost" to the taxpayer.

The CEO of the South African Social Security Agency , Fezile Makiwane, was put on special leave last week pending investigation into alleged misuse of funds.

Gauteng MEC for roads and transport Bheki Nkosi last week suspended the head of department, Sibusiso Buthelezi, on allegations of financial wrongdoing.

The Gauteng agriculture department fired chief financial officer Mamoorosi Qasha last week, for authorising the bungled purchase of a second-hand Mercedes-Benz .