DA Challenges Parliament Secretary's Appointment and Salary Increase in Court

The Democratic Alliance (DA) has filed an application in the Western Cape High Court seeking to have the appointment of Xolile George as Secretary of Parliament declared unlawful and set aside. The DA alleges that George did not formally apply for the position and was not shortlisted during the recruitment process. The party also raises concerns about a 70% salary increase for George, from R2.6 million to R4.4 million, within months of starting the job. The DA's parliamentary leader, George Michalakis, claims that Parliament was misinformed about the circumstances surrounding the salary hike and that efforts to obtain relevant documentation through parliamentary processes had failed. The DA has also lodged a complaint with the office of the Public Protector and is calling for a presidential proclamation to enable the Special Investigating Unit (SIU) to probe the matter.