The services of the Clerk of the Legislative Assembly, Sefuiva Charlene Malele, have been terminated as a result of an investigation by the Audit Office. 

This was confirmed by the Speaker of Parliament, Leaupepe Tole’afoa Fa’afisi, during an interview at his residence yesterday morning. 

Last year the Audit Office investigated an official complaint filed by a Parliamentary driver, on allegations of misappropriation of Government funding, human resources issues and alleged abuse of government properties. 

The complaint was lodged directly with the Prime Minister Tuilaepa Dr. Sa’ilele Malielegaoi who then ordered an audit investigation. 

The Office of the Clerk of the Legislative Assembly (O.C.L.A.) comes under the portfolio of the Prime Minister. 

According to the Speaker, the termination was effective prior to Parliament being in session last week. 

“As you saw, Charlene did not sit in Parliament, her services have been terminated,” Leaupepe said. 

“We anticipate announcing the position of the Clerk of the Legislative Assembly next week and we ask for the interested parties to apply.” 

Asked about any changes to ensure the actions of the sacked Clerk aren’t repeated, the Speaker said that policies have always been there. 

“We have policies since this Office was established and problems occur when the said polices are not followed. And when one diverts from the policies, that is when wrong-doing and illegal actions happen,” the Speaker said. 

The first Parliament session of the year concluded this past Monday and Sefuiva was absent during this week’s proceedings. 

Deputy Clerk, Leatisa Uitime Tala, was the Acting Clerk. 

As of yesterday, repeated attempts to get comments from Sefuiva on the telephone were unsuccessful.