Parliament, Monday 9 October 2017 - The Chairperson of the disciplinary inquiry into the matter between Ms Zelda Holtzman, suspended head of the Parliamentary Protection Services (PPS), and Parliament has announced recommended sanctions for charges on which Ms Holtzman was found guilty.
In his written recommended sanctions, dated 8 October, the independent chairperson recommended dismissal for three charges and a final written warning for one.
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.
Dismissal was also recommended for failing 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.
A final written warning was recommended for failing to take steps to address divisions in the PPS, including between herself and her deputy.
The recommended sanctions, dated 8 October, follow proceedings on aggravation and mitigation of sanctions which started on 19 September.
Ms Holtzman was placed on precautionary suspension on 30 July 2015.
Parliament will consider the recommendations of the independent disciplinary inquiry chairperson and take a decision.
ISSUED BY THE PARLIAMENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF SOUTH AFRICA
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