News
Public Protector steps back as Xolile George pay hike probe intensifies
South Africa’s political landscape rarely has a quiet week. This time, the spotlight has turned to the Office of the Public Protector after Kholeka Gcaleka formally stepped aside from investigating the salary of Parliament Secretary Xolile George.
The reason: following claims of a potential romantic relationship.
It is a move that has drawn political attention, not necessarily about romance, but about transparency, ethics, and how public institutions protect their integrity.
Why the investigation matters
The issue began earlier this month when the Democratic Alliance lodged a complaint on 5 February 2026. The party raised concerns about George’s salary progression since his appointment in 2022.
When he took up the five-year performance-based contract, George reportedly earned R2.6 million per year. Within six months, his package had increased to R4.4 million. It now stands at approximately R4.9 million.
The DA claims this reflects an increase of more than 88 percent in just three years, significantly above comparable senior roles in the public service. The party also wants scrutiny of alleged irregular expenditure linked to the 2023 BRICS Parliamentary Forum, which fell under George’s oversight.
In a country still grappling with trust in public institutions, salary hikes of this magnitude inevitably draw attention.
Gcaleka’s decision to recuse
In a letter to DA chief whip George Michalakis, Gcaleka explained that she had disclosed a potential conflict between her private interests and her official duties.
She referenced provisions in the Public Protector Act that allow for such conflicts to be managed formally and transparently. Acting in line with the legislation, she recused herself entirely from the handling of the complaint and any related decisions.
Her responsibilities in this matter will now be carried out by Deputy Public Protector Adv. Dinkie Dube.
Gcaleka stated that the perceived conflict is being managed within the statutory framework to safeguard independence and impartiality. In practical terms, this means she will play no role in the investigation going forward.
The political reaction
Reports have circulated about a possible romantic relationship between Gcaleka and George, though it has not been officially confirmed.
Michalakis said the personal nature of the relationship does not concern him. However, he argued that the fact that Gcaleka deemed it necessary to step aside indicates that a perceived conflict exists.
The DA has also questioned whether George himself declared any similar potential conflict to Parliament’s executive authority, which includes National Assembly Speaker Thoko Didiza.
Didiza, for her part, declined to intervene. She indicated that if a conflict of interest arises from a personal matter, it falls within the responsibility of the Office of the Public Protector to address it as the investigating body.
A broader question of ethics
This development raises a larger point about governance in South Africa. Chapter 9 institutions, including the Public Protector, exist precisely to hold powerful structures accountable.
If the head of such an institution may in the future be required to investigate Parliament, and if the Parliament Secretary is the accounting officer of that institution, even the perception of partiality can undermine confidence.
In this context, Gcaleka’s recusal can be seen as a preemptive step to protect the credibility of the investigation. For some observers, it demonstrates adherence to ethical standards. For others, it adds another layer of complexity to an already sensitive matter.
What happens next
With Deputy Public Protector Dinkie Dube now overseeing the probe, the investigation into George’s salary increases and related expenditure will continue without Gcaleka’s involvement.
The outcome could have implications not only for George’s position but also for how salary determinations at the highest levels of Parliament are scrutinised in future.
For the public, the core issue remains straightforward. Are public funds being managed responsibly and transparently? And are officials, at every level, declaring potential conflicts openly and early enough to maintain trust?
In a political climate where perception often matters as much as fact, this case is a reminder that accountability does not end with disclosure. It begins there.
Follow Joburg ETC on Facebook, Twitter, TikT
For more News in Johannesburg, visit joburgetc.com
Source: IOL
Featured Image: X (formerly known Twitter)/@southafricandly
