The Presiding Officers of Parliament received a report from the Auditor-General on the matter of the advance paid to the Secretary to Parliament, Mr Zingile Dingani, for the construction of a perimeter wall around his residence.
The report was tabled at a special meeting of the Parliamentary Oversight Authority (POA). The POA considered and accepted the report and the recommendations by the Auditor-General.
In this regard, Parliament will formally engage with Mr Dingani and the Chief Finance Officer, Mr Leslie Mondo, regarding the processes to follow. A statement in this regard will be issued in due course after this.
Media reports on the advance to Mr Dingani, in December 2011, of an amount of R186 000 prompted calls by political parties in Parliament, including the African National Congress and the Democratic Alliance, for an investigation into the matter.
The Presiding Officers subsequently referred the matter to the Auditor-General to investigate whether the advance was awarded contrary to any legal or policy stipulation. Parliament also sought, through this process, to enable itself to strengthen and/or implement the necessary measures and steps to ensure effective accounting and internal control systems.
The Office of the Auditor-General is a Chapter 9 institution. Its mandate positions it appropriately to deal with the matter and to assess and advise Parliament on its financial management systems and processes. Both Mr Dingani and Mr Mondo have been on special leave since March 26. The Deputy Secretary, Mr Michael Coetzee, has been acting as secretary.
