Barry Streek
The suspension of one of Parliament’s most senior officials, Lulu Matyolo, the Secretary of the National Council of Provinces (NCOP), was lifted this week but her return to office has resulted in a written complaint to the Public Protector, Selby Baqwa.
The complaint to Baqwa not only contains the allegations that relate to her suspension on July 30 that she had threatened a junior staff member but also contains new allegations of nepotism in the course of her parliamentary duties.
The letter to Baqwa was signed by “concerned staff” who stated that “we are fearful of identifying ourselves at this stage for fear of victimisation, as has happened to some of us in the past”.
Copies of the complaint were also sent to the Speaker of the National Assembly, Frene Ginwala, the Deputy Speaker, Baleka Mbete, the chairperson of the NCOP, Naledi Pandoor, and the deputy chairperson of the NCOP, Lawrence Mushwana.
The Mail & Guardian asked Parliament through its media liaison office if it had any comment to make on the complaint but the office had not reacted by time of going to press.
The Secretary to Parliament, Sindiso Mfenyana, said in an earlier statement he had received a complaint about Matyolo from a staff member and “the nature of the allegations, which was based on her management style, was such that the secretary decided to institute a formal investigation”.
The complaint against her was investigated by a member of Parliament’s law advice office and his report was received on August 6.
“Arising from the report the secretary decided to terminate the suspension and to formally counsel Ms Matyolo. The report contained no substantial evidence that merited further action, hence the formal counselling.”
Mfenyana said Parliament promoted fair labour practices and staff were free to express themselves and register complaints, while the Public Disclosures Act, the “whistle-blowers act”, “ensures that staff making disclosures are protected from victimisation.”