Parliament – Secretary to Parliament Gengezi Mgidlana has been placed on special leave following his request to Speaker Baleka Mbete and National Council of Provinces chairperson Thandi Modise.
Parliament confirmed on Friday that Mgidlana had asked the presiding officers to be placed on special leave from May 29. But the special leave comes into effect on Friday.
Mgidlana has been involved in a fight with the National Education, Health and Allied Workers Union (Nehawu) after the union accused him of wrongdoing.
Spokesperson for Parliament Moloto Mothapo said the presiding officers agreed to the special leave to also allow for the internal audit committee of Parliament to investigate the allegations against Mgidlana levelled by Nehawu.
“Recently, the presiding officers referred several allegations regarding administrative irregularities against the Secretary to Parliament to an independent audit committee of Parliament for investigation,” said Mothapo.
“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,” said Mothapo.
Nehawu has accused Mgidlana of allegations of financial irregularities.
DA chief whip John Steenhuisen also accused Mgidlana of a slew of allegations during the debate on the budget vote of Parliament last week.
Steenhuisen said Mgidlana blew thousands of rands during a trip to Zambia recently.
The secretary to Parliament was also accused of similar allegations last year during another official trip to London.