Ms Penelope Tyawa, the Deputy Secretary to Parliament, was appointed acting Secretary to Parliament following the passing away of the Secretary to Parliament, Mr Michael Coetzee, in June this year.
Since our first democratic Parliament, the position of Secretary to Parliament, the institution’s top administrator and accounting officer, has been filled by resolution of the National Assembly (NA) and National Council of Provinces (NCOP), following a recommendation to the two Houses from the Speaker of the NA and the Chairperson of the NCOP.
In the case of the late Secretary to Parliament, both the NA and the NCOP unanimously resolved he should be appointed after a recommendation from former NA Speaker, Mr Max Sisulu, and former NCOP Chairperson, Mr Mninwa Mahlangu.
As there is a fiduciary duty of trust between the Presiding Officers, as Executive Authority, and the Accounting Officer in terms of the Financial Management of Parliament Act, it is imperative that the Presiding Officers nominate a candidate with whom they can work closely, efficiently and cooperatively.
