The Joint Standing Committee of the Financial Management of Parliament today met with the executive authority as well as senior management of the institution for updates on important developments in Parliament.
The management team, led by Secretary to Parliament Mr Xolile George, gave an update on the institution’s performance for the 2025/26 financial year. Committee members welcomed the report, which also included information about Parliament’s constitutional objectives, human resources matters, questions by the executive in both the National Assembly and the National Council of Provinces (NCOP), house debates, oversight and public participation.
There was also a brief update on the ongoing restoration of the parliamentary buildings. The committee resolved to discuss the matter at length in its next meeting and schedule a site visit to the construction site.
On human resources, committee members asked questions about the Director of the Legislative Sector division, who allegedly faced accusations of wrongdoing in her previous role as the Director-General of the Department of Public Service and Administration, and the vacant position of the Director of the Parliamentary Budget Office.
While there was no clear answer on the question of the Legislative Sector Director, the committee heard that the vacancy in the PBO occurred after the contract of the director expired. “The PBO director’s contract expired and was not renewed. He is now challenging the non-renewal of the contract at the Commission for Conciliation, Mediation and Arbitration; that is where we are,” said Advocate Frank Jenkins, Parliament Senior Legal Advisor. Ms Sanny Ndhlovu, the Co-Chairperson of the committee, asked Parliament to provide more information on the matter.
Another long-running human resources-related matter is the appointment of the STP and the alleged unlawful increase in his salary. Previously the committee reported that the matter had been closed after a report from the Auditor-General found no evidence of wrongdoing, Questions from EFF committee member Ms Omphile Maotwe reopened the issue.
Speaking on behalf of the executive, the Chairperson of the NCOP, Ms Refilwe Mtshweni-Tsipane, dismissed suggestions that there was any salary increase to the STP in the seventh Parliament. “On the matter of the salary of the STP, I want to state that we have not effected any salary increase in the seventh Parliament. The R4,9 million is gratuity accumulated over the years that will be due at the end of his contract,” explained the NCOP Chairperson.
Ms Maotwe dismissed the explanation and argued that Parliament did not have a policy on gratuity. “We are a legislature (public sector) and not a private company. You are now treating Parliament as a share stock. The appointment of the STP and related activity of salary increment is corrupt and it is illegal to cash out as if there is a cash option policy,” said Ms Maotwe.
Another committee member, Ms Michéle Clarke of the DA, accused Ms Maotwe of casting aspersions in her use of the word “corrupt”. She then proposed that the committee should get a legal opinion on the matter. The ANC’s Mr Cameron Dugmore accused Ms Maotwe of engaging on a personal campaign against the STP. “The issue of the STP salary has been dealt with; the AG found there nothing amiss. She should the challenge the AG report in court to be set aside,” said Mr Dugmore.
The Co-Chairperson of the committee, Mr Soviet Lekganyane, discouraged members from labeling the appointment of the STP as corrupt and reiterated that the issue has been dealt with extensively and closed. “The issue of the STP appointment, with the AG investigation, let us lay it to rest. But that does not mean members cannot ask questions about it. There is nothing that we are defending or protecting. The STP did not bring himself here. We own the decisions of the previous Parliament that are in line with the law,” said Mr Lekganyane.
Sakhile Mokoena
22 May 2026
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