The Portfolio Committee noted that the very unusual and unacceptable state of affairs of alleged serious acts of dishonesty surrounding most of the Department's previous senior leadership and its Bid Committee had created great instability and uncertainty in the Department. The Portfolio Committee commended the Minister and the present acting senior leadership for the swift and decisive steps taken to remedy the matter and urged them to leave no stone unturned to finally lay this matter to rest in the shortest period of time within the prescripts of the law. The Portfolio Committee was also mindful of the fact that the ongoing crisis was not conducive to an optimum working environment and that this has to some extent hampered the Department's ability to function at its full potential.