It is unacceptable that a top official earning R1.8 million a year should borrow parliamentary funds to beef up security at his private home, the DA has said, adding its voice to that of the ANC in calling for an investigation into Secretary to Parliament Zingile Dingani.
Dingani arranged for an advance on his salary to pay for a R186 000 wall to be built at his home on the basis of recommendations made by the State Security Agency, which carried out a risk assessment in the wake of “security breaches”, according to Parliament’s communications head, Luzuko Jacobs. It had been agreed that the loan, approved by National Assembly Speaker Max Sisulu and National Council of Provinces chairman Mninwa Mahlangu, would be repaid at a rate of R10 000 a month from this year.
DA deputy chief whip Sandy Kalyan said she would write to Sisulu asking for an independent inquiry as his office was implicated in the “apparent misuse of parliamentary funds”.
“The Speaker must explain why they approved this. It is unacceptable that someone with a salary of R1.8m a year should need an advance on his salary to improve security at his private residence.”
Kalyan said her home had been broken into, but she had not asked Parliament for help in improving its security.
Dingani’s position did not constitute a high security risk.
“Ordinary people go to a bank with their pay slip and ask for a loan. It is up to them to pay for improved security. The same rule should apply to Mr Dingani.”
Parliamentary funds should be used to run the institution or for tools of the trade for MPs.
The funds should not be used for interest-free loans, Kalyan said.
She said she would write to Finance Minister Pravin Gordhan to ask why the Financial Management of Parliament Act had yet to be fully implemented.
The act spells out how funds should be managed and provides for an oversight committee to scrutinise Parliament’s spending. The act was promulgated in 2009, but the committee has yet to be established.
“I will be asking questions about this during Parliament’s budget vote and will put it on the agenda of the next meeting of the Parliamentary Oversight Authority,” Kalyan said.
She also wanted details of the policy Parliament was apparently drafting relating to security measures at employees’ homes. One of the reasons offered for the loan to Dingani was the absence of such a policy.
If the investigation did not find “satisfactory justification” for the loan to Dingani, it would amount to irregular expenditure, Kalyan said.
Parliament, which had a vital role to play in holding the executive to account, had to ensure its own affairs were managed transparently. Those who misused funds had to be held to account if Parliament’s integrity was to be maintained.
ANC caucus spokesman Moloto Mothapo said Parliament needed to be accountable. It was important to investigate the issue, because if Parliament’s integrity was put in question, it risked losing public trust. - Political Bureau