Cape Town - More than two years after she was suspended, Parliament has recommended that its head of protection services be dismissed.
Zelda Holtzman was suspended when a probe into security breaches at Parliament was launched.
The chairperson of the disciplinary inquiry, Taki Madima, recommended dismissal for three charges, and a final written warning for one. The recommendations for dismissal were for serious misconduct amounting to gross insubordination (alternatively insubordination).
“These charges related to Ms Holtzman’s refusal to provide written responses and a report to her manager, as per a lawful instruction given to her. This did not only amount to gross insubordination but a breakdown of the trust relationship between employer and employee, which is pivotal in the workplace,” according to Parliament’s spokesperson Moloto Mothapo.
Holtzman’s dismissal was also recommended for her failure to produce a strategic business plan, in line with support for Parliament’s strategic plan, and to submit an annual budget.
A final written warning was recommended for failing to take steps to address divisions in the Parliament Protection Services, including between herself and her deputy.
“Parliament will consider the recommendations of the independent disciplinary inquiry chairperson and take a decision,” said Mothapo.