Parliament responds to reports on Secretary's spending habits

City Press is reporting the Secretary to Parliament has been travelling at taxpayers' expense, incurring costs for, among others, "being chauffeur driven in a Mercedes Benz" during a trip abroad.

But Parliament has reacted, describing the article as "sensational" and the personal targeting of Gengezi Mgidlana.

The newspaper cites parliamentary documents which reveal Mgidlana stayed at the Conrad London St James Hotel, at a cost of over R 14 000/ night for three nights during a visit to the United Kingdom.

The report further states Mgidlana has been flying business class and staying at five star hotels during trips.

Parliamentary spokesperson Manelisi Wolela says while the figures cited in the report are accurate, but are out of context.

Wolela says an overnight stay might cost a civil servant R 1300 for a local bed and breakfast, but it would cost around R 20 000 for the same services abroad.

He adds the trips were taken to help implement parliament's strategic plan.

"A lot of work has been done and is being done to strengthen the administration, to strengthen governance of parliament to set a very clear target going into the next 20 years," says Wolela.

He explains the work is being done to prepare the national legislature for the next generation.

Wolela claims the article insinuates wrongdoing or illegal activity by Mgidlana.

"There is no violation of either regulation or law or policy of the South African Parliament," he insists.

According to City Press, Mgidlana also spent six nights at the Michaelangelo hotel in Sandton and left a bill of more than R 52 000.