National Assembly Speaker Thoko Didiza cautioned against saying a person has done something when they have not and also impugning the integrity of officials when she tabled the 2026 budget vote on Thursday.
Image: Phando Jikelo / RSA Parliament
The Constitutional Court judgment on Phala Phala and the remuneration of Secretary to Parliament Xolile George took centre stage when MPs debated the institution’s 2026/27 budget on Thursday.
Tabling the budget vote, National Assembly Speaker Thoko Didiza emphasised the challenges faced by the legislature over its 30 years of democracy.
“The recent Constitutional Court judgment has found that some of our rules are not consistent with the Constitution, and therefore require review and amendment,” Didiza said.
Central to the debate was the need for greater parliamentary autonomy, as articulated by ANC Deputy Chief Whip Nobuhle Nkabane.
She raised an alarm over the institution's reliance on the executive for budget allocations, noting a significant R772 million shortfall compared to the requested funding.
“This intervention is unsustainable and erodes the independence of Parliament,” Nkabane said, adding that the institution must finalise its funding model.
MK Party MP Des van Rooyen echoed these sentiments, suggesting that the current Westminster-style system limits Parliament's administrative and financial autonomy.
“We are expected to bite the hand that feeds us,” said Van Rooyen before urging a multi-party budget forum to champion better funding.
The debate took on an intensified tone concerning George’s salary increase, which has been termed “gigantic” by DA MP Michele Clarke.
She said her party disagreed with the motion by the ANC to declare the matter closed and called for a legal opinion.
“We demand a proper investigation regarding the salary increase of the Secretary,” Clarke said.
Didiza's leadership was criticised when EFF MP Omphile Maotwe accused the Speaker of neglecting the alleged irregularities in George's appointment and salary increase, as well as alleged mismanagement related to the hosting of the BRICS Summit, which saw costs balloon from R3.9 million to R6 million.
“The Secretary was appointed by the former Speaker in what we consider a corrupt manner. He worked for two months in Parliament while being paid by Salga without a contract. This Speaker turns a blind eye to this corruption,” Maotwe said.
Didiza defended herself, cautioning Maotwe against saying a person has done something when they have not.
“She (Maotwe) made a reference about decisions that executive authorities have taken in the appointment of the Secretary of Parliament, and in terms of date and time, I think she's wrong. The Secretary of Parliament was appointed in 2022 by the sixth administration,” she said, adding that the BRICS Summit was also in 2023 under the sixth administration.
Didiza said parliamentary employees were professionals who decided to come and work in the institution to support their work.
“It may be Xolile George today. It may be your son or your daughter tomorrow, because they, too, will at times work for the institutions of government. If there are wrong things that were done by the then-administration in terms of executive authority and Members of Parliament, let's correct them.
“Secondly, if there are things that we might not have done correctly in how we are hosts in South Africa, we need to correct that, but not make it a cheap political point.”
Patriotic Alliance MP Ashley Sauls defended Didiza’s leadership, saying her dedication and her sterling work have not gone unnoticed.
“We commend your efforts to uphold with dignity this institution and ensure the voice of the people remains central to our democracy,” Sauls said.
ANC MP Soviet Lekganyane said the matters related to George had been dealt with by the Auditor-General in 2023/24.
“As co-chairs, we want to reiterate that we are forever open to every question members would want to ask regarding that matter. They should follow the procedure, and we are not hiding anything,” he said.
However, the debate underscored a crucial turning point for Parliament, as several parties acknowledged its consistent reprimands by the Constitutional Court for lapses in accountability and oversight.
ActionSA MP Lerato Ngobeni highlighted that the ANC has historically leveraged its majority to undermine these essential democratic processes.
“The Concourt reminded us that its duty is to the Constitution, not to a political party,” she said, framing the ongoing issues in the context of parliamentary integrity.
UDM MP Nqabayomzi Kwankwa said chickens have come home to roost as they were not listened to when the ANC used its majority to vote against the Independent Panel report to breach principles of accountability.
“We are not to shield you from consequences of your actions. As we set motion towards impeachment, due process must be followed. We must not end up with an egg on our face by making the same mistakes,” Kwankwa said.
Didiza welcomed the proposal that Parliament must look at its funding model.
She detailed the steps she has taken to comply with the Constitutional Court's decisions, including the establishment of an Impeachment Committee.
“We have announced that on Monday, the first meeting of that committee will sit. So what is it that we say the Speaker has been partial, has not acted in the interest of this House? I do not think it's true,” added Didiza.