The secretary to parliament has been granted special leave‚ while a committee investigates allegations of administrative irregularities‚ officials said on Friday.
"The Presiding Officers of Parliament‚ National Assembly Speaker Ms Baleka Mbete and National Council of Provinces Chairperson Ms Thandi Modise‚ have granted the Secretary to Parliament‚ Mr Gengezi Mgidlana‚ special leave – effective from today‚ 9 June 2017‚" parliament said in a statement.
"The Secretary to Parliament wrote to the Presiding Officers on 29 May 2017‚ requesting to be placed on special leave while allegations levelled against him by the National Education‚ Health and Allied Workers’ Union (Nehawu) are investigated."
Nehawu has reported allegations against Mgidlana to the public protector after accusing parliament of not taking the charges seriously.
Mgidlana faces a series of accusations‚ including that he irregularly used a state vehicle fitted with a blue light‚ that he ordered parliamentary staff to drive his wife around and that he went on overseas trips that cost the taxpayer nearly R2-million.
Parliament said several allegations against Mgidlana had been referred to an independent audit committee of parliament for investigation.
"The independent Audit Committee‚ comprised of external individuals in line with provisions of the Financial Management of Parliament and Provincial Legislatures Act‚ is expected to probe the allegations with the necessary swiftness and to report back to the Presiding Officers‚" parliament said.
"The Presiding Officers wish to state that‚ consistent with the principles of natural justice‚ the Secretary to Parliament remains innocent until proven otherwise."
- TMG Digital/TimesLIVE
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