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The Democratic Alliance (DA) has submitted a PAIA application to find out exactly what role Xolile George played in appointing his associate, Nceba Mqoqi, to the position of Parliament Chief Financial Officer (CFO).

The Public Protector, the Special Investigation Unit and the Joint standing Committee on the Financial Management of Parliament (JSCFMP) have been urged to investigate the circumstances surrounding Mr. George's 2022 appointment, his astronomical salary raises, and allegations of financial mismanagement and maladministration under his watch.

While these matters are ongoing, Parliament has now appointed a known associate of Mr George, who allegedly helped force through irregular payments while the two were in charge at SALGA.

According to a 2020 Labour Court judgement in the possession of the DA, it was alleged by a former employee that Mr Mqoqi and Mr George worked together closely in bullying employees to approve irregular payments. According to the former employee, these payments were made to friends of Mr George and Mr Mqoqi.

The judgement highlighted two very worrying alleged instances of Mr George and Mr Mqoqi forcing through irregular payments.

One such allegation stems from a payment to a friend of Mr. Mqoqi in September 2016. In another incident in January 2017, the former employee was alleged to have been bullied to make payment to a "close associate" of Mr George and Mr Mqoqi, despite a clear lack of supporting documents.

The employee worked as a payroll administrator and was, according to him, forced to resign after he questioned dubious payments. The employee succeeded in his CCMA constructive dismissal claim, but the ruling was eventually overturned by the Labour Court due to the legal technicalities without speaking to the merits of the allegations.

While the DA cannot comment on the veracity of these allegations, Mr Mqoqi's appointment raises several alarm bells:

• Did Mr George and Mr Mqoqi bully employees at SALGA to make irregular payments to their friends?
• Has Mr George appointed a loyal comrade to now rubberstamp dubious transactions at Parliament?
• Were the correct procedures followed in this appointment?

Wherever Xolile George goes, questions are raised. The latest appointment raises concerns of possible nepotism and brings a history of alleged financial mismanagement at SALGA to the fore.

We must guard against the co-optation of Parliament as means of funneling money into the hands of the corrupt. The DA will do everything in its power to expose dubious practices that undermine the reputation of the Legislature.

Issued by George Michalakis MP - DA Chief Whip in Parliament