Nine members of Parliament have been suspended in Cape Town as a result of allegations connected to the fire that destroyed the National Assembly building and severely damaged the nearby old assembly nearly two years ago.

They are among a group of 28 officials who have been linked to an independent investigation and are thought to be responsible for security breaches and other security flaws that led to the buildings being targeted in an alleged arson attack.

The fire will cost around R2 billion to fix, and only one suspect who has no connection to Parliament is being held criminally responsible.

According to Xolile George, secretary of parliament, the 28 officials who were named had a chance to respond to an October notice of potential charges connected to the internal fire investigation of Parliament.

Only two of them did n’t respond right away.

According to George, some of the people who received notices provided adequate justifications for their actions, and Parliament is debating whether to provide them with professional development to close any potential skill gaps.

However, 13 additional staff members who gave inadequate responses will now be subject to disciplinary action and will soon be informed of the specific charges they will be facing.

To reduce any potential influence they may have on others, nine of them—mostly senior employees —have been suspended with full pay and benefits.

According to George, the suspensions are essential for upholding the institution’s integrity and ensuring fairness.