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Parliament’s Presiding Officers will make a recommendation to both Houses of Parliament about the report from the chairperson of the disciplinary inquiry involving Secretary to Parliament Mr Zingile Dingani.

The recommendation from the chairperson of the inquiry is that Mr Dingani be dismissed with immediate effect for serious misconduct. It was received this morning.

The charges relate to Mr Dingani’s receipt of a salary advance in December 2011 to build a wall at his residence in contravention of the Financial Management of Parliament Act (FMPA).

Briefing the media today, Parliament’s Deputy Presiding Officers - National Assembly Deputy Speaker Ms NomaIndia Mfeketo and National Council of Provinces Deputy Chairperson Ms Thandi Memela - said the recommendation for dismissal was based on Mr Dingani being found guilty of two serious charges of misconduct.

The chairperson of the disciplinary hearing found that Mr Dingani, in his application to the Executive Authority, National Assembly Speaker Mr Max Sisulu and National Council of Provinces Mr Mninwa Mahlangu, had:
· Misled Parliament’s Executive Authority by misrepresenting that Parliament’s policies made provision for granting advances against salary in exceptional circumstances. It was further found that the Secretary did not disclose all material facts in requesting a salary advance.
· Obtained an interest-free loan of R186 000 from Parliament in contravention of Parliament’s procedures and/or practices and applicable legislation (FMPA).

The chairperson of the disciplinary hearing found that Parliament’s policies did not make provision for salary advances, nor was there a long-standing practice of doing so.

Parliament’s Presiding Officers would consider the recommendation from the chairperson of the disciplinary hearing and would make a recommendation to both the National Assembly and National Council of Provinces.

The two Houses are expected to consider the matter next week.