No ‘golden handshake’ for ex-MPL
THERE will be no golden handshake for the chairperson of committees at the Northern Cape Provincial Legislature, Dawid Rooi, following his resignation, although he will be entitled to a gratuity payment, which is yet to be calculated.
ANC deputy chairperson Bentley Vass, the former executive mayor and Speaker of the Namakwa District Municipality, was sworn in as a Member of the Provincial Legislature yesterday to replace Rooi.
His legislative duties will commence with immediate effect and he will be responsible for leading committees. He stated that his position at the municipality had not been filled yet.
Legislature secretary Patrick Moopelwa said that all office bearers who were employed for a minimum of five years qualified for a gratuity lump sum.
“Rooi has been employed at the legislature and in provincial government for some time. We are in the process of calculating what is due to him, along with his pension payout, in consultation with financial advisers.”
Legislature Speaker Kenny Mmoiemang pointed out that Rooi’s resignation did not come as a surprise. “We have been in discussions for a while now.”
He added that media speculation that arose in 2016 regarding Rooi leaving provincial government, had become a reality.
“He has been employed in public office since 2006 and fulfilled various roles in government and as an MEC and has made an immense contribution in serving the community. He is now leaving in his mid 50s since joining provincial government from an early age. There comes a time to reflect, after dedicating your life to the cause.”
ANC provincial secretary Deshi Ngxanga, however, stated that Rooi had yet to provide the party with reasons for his decision.
“Your guess is as good as mine (why he resigned). We will call him in next week, to talk to us about the reasons that prompted him to resign as a Member of the Provincial Legislature. There was not an ounce of pressure from the side of the Provincial Executive Committee for him to resign. Any such assumption is untrue.”