Parliament, Tuesday 8 May 2018 – Parliament today reached a settlement with former head of its Parliamentary Protection Services Ms Zelda Holtzman to part ways cordially.

The settlement involves Ms Holtzman’s withdrawal of her dispute lodged with the Commission for Conciliation, Mediation and Arbitration (CCMA). It also involves Parliament withdrawing its charges against Ms Holtzman and a decision to dismiss her. In terms of the settlement, Ms Holtzman will be paid her gross salary equivalent to a period of eight months.

Parliament dismissed Ms Holtzman last year after a disciplinary inquiry found her guilty on several charges. However, she challenged the decision at the CCMA and it was there that the parties opted, instead, to settle amicably. Charges for which Ms Holtzman was dismissed related to her refusal to provide written responses and a report to her manager, as per a lawful instruction given to her. It also related to her failure to produce a strategic business plan – in line with and in support of Parliament’s strategic plan (a statutory requirement) – and to submit an annual budget.

Today’s agreement brings the long, drawn-out dispute to an end and also ends any relationship between Parliament and Ms Holtzman.

ISSUED BY THE PARLIAMENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF SOUTH AFRICA

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