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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. 

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. 

Recently, the Presiding Officers referred several allegations regarding administrative irregularities against the Secretary to Parliament 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.

The Presiding Officers wish to state that, consistent with the principles of natural justice, the Secretary to Parliament remains innocent until proven otherwise. 

All parties have been urged to cooperate with the Audit Committee process, which it is hoped will scrutinise these allegations and put the matter to rest. 

In the absence of Mr Mgidlana, the Presiding Officers will appoint one of the two Deputy Secretaries to Parliament as Acting Secretary to Parliament.

Issued by Parliament of the Republic of South Africa