VIDEO: TAXPAYERS SPEND R4M ON ONE PARLIAMENT OFFICIALS TRAVEL COSTS

On Friday, the Cape Town High Court dismissed a bid by Parliamentary chief, Gengezi Mgidlana, to stop Parliament carrying out a disciplinary hearing against him for spending R4m of taxpayers’ money on transport.

Now Mgidlana will be held to account after being exposed for wasting millions on extravagant travel costs.

The audit committee of Parliament, who found that he acted in breach of the Financial Management of Parliament and Provincial Legislatures Act (FMPPLA) as well as the Road Traffic Act, will have the opportunity to take him to task over his misconduct.

The original investigation by the committee included allegations from public sector union the National Health Education and Allied Workers Union, each group claimed that Mgidlana has been handed a R31 000 bursary to study at the University of South Africa while junior staff were declined.

He also travelled with his spouse to work-related meetings, ordered parliamentary staff to drive him and members of his family in a blue light brigade, apparently instructing the drivers to ignore red traffic lights.

Mgidlana claimed that the audit committee had “dealt with him unfairly” during their investigation and was hoping the High Court would interdict his disciplinary hearing. He argued that he intended to demand a judicial review of the audit committee report.

This is just another scandal to add to the pile of inquiries Parliament’s committee’s and internal groups have on their plates at the moment. The Eskom inquiry, for instance, which is attempting to issue summons to the Guptas, Duduzane Zuma and even Dudu Myeni – The former two have been out of the country. Zuma will have to return to SA now though, as the NPA has officially reopened charges against him.

Check out the video for more. What do you think about all this controversy? Leave us a comment below.