Parliament, Tuesday, 26 March 2024 – Today, the National Assembly, during its plenary session, adopted reports from the Joint Committee on Ethics and Members’ Interests as well as the National Assembly Rules Committee.
The Joint Committee on Ethics and Members’ Interests found that 11 members failed to disclose their financial and other registrable interests by the deadline of 30 September 2023. Members of Parliament are required to disclose their registrable interests annually, as stipulated by the Code of Ethical Conduct and Disclosure of Members’ Interests. This also mandates the submission of a "nil" return if a member has no registrable interests.
The Committee recommended disciplinary actions against several members. Mr Jerome Maake, Mr Tlhologelo Malatji, Mr Zwelivelile Mandela, Ms Phumeza Mpushe, Mr Xolani Msimango, Mr Xola Nqola, Mr Mohatla Tseki, Ms Judith Tshabalala, and Mr Audrey Zuma are to be fined the equivalent of 20 days’ salary, along with a reprimand in the House. Mr Itumeleng Ntsube faces a fine equivalent to 30 days’ salary and Ms Nokuzola Tolashe, a fine equivalent to 25 days’ salary, both including reprimands in the House.
Meanwhile, in the report of the Powers and Privileges Committee on allegations of contempt during the debate on the Presidency’s budget vote on 9 and 10 June 2022, it found the affected members’ conduct egregious and recommended penalties.
The Powers and Privileges Committee, after reviewing the evidence in the Report of the Subcommittee on Physical Removal of Members from Chamber, found the members guilty of disrupting proceedings, blatantly disregarding the Speaker’s authority, and violently resisting removal. The National Assembly Rules Committee adopted the subcommittee’s report on 2 September 2022 and referred it to the Powers and Privileges Committee for investigation.
The Subcommittee reported that several members were removed from the chamber during the sittings, in accordance with Rule 73(12). These included Ms Elsabe Ntlangwini, Mr Anthony Matumba, and others, over two days. Their actions, described as grossly disorderly conduct, included invading the chamber floor, interfering with the Serjeant-at-Arms, and throwing water bottles at staff. The subcommittee also found evidence indicating these members violated the NA Rules and the Act.
Along with its findings, the Powers and Privileges Committee also recommended penalties, which are as follows:
- All affected members must apologise in the House by 29 March 2024 to the President, the Speaker, and the people of South Africa.
- Ms Yako and Mr Mafanya are subject to a 50% reduction in their salary and allowances from 1 April 2024.
- Ms Marais, Ms Mathulelwa, Mr Matumba, and Ms Chirwa face fines equivalent to 30 days' salary, effective from 1 April.
- Ms Ntlangwini, Mr Tambo, and Mr Montwedi are suspended without remuneration for 30 days from 1 April to 30 April 2024.
ISSUED BY THE PARLIAMENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF SOUTH AFRICA
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