National Assembly Speaker Thoko Didiza has reprimanded several MPs, including Deputy President Paul Mashatile, after they were found to have breached Parliament’s Ethical Code of Conduct.
The reprimands were issued on Thursday after the House adopted nine reports from the Joint Committee on Ethics and Members’ Interests.
Eight MPs were named in the reports.
They include Mashatile, former higher education minister Nobuhle Nkabane, Public Works and Infrastructure Minister Dean Macpherson, DA MP Ian Cameron, National Coloured Congress leader Fadiel Adams, Patriotic Alliance MP Marlon Daniels, and MK Party MPs David Skosana and Visvin Reddy.
The DA objected to the adoption of the reports involving Cameron and Macpherson.
Didiza warns MPs over conduct
The MPs attended the plenary virtually and were asked to switch on their cameras during proceedings.
Didiza said the offences went against the ethics code MPs had sworn to uphold.
She said public representatives must remember that their oath does not only apply to what they do in the House.
It also applies to what they write on social media and say to the public.
“This is a reminder to all of us that we should at all times remember the oath we have taken,” Didiza said.
Apologies and sanctions issued
The sanctions included reprimands, salary deductions and orders to apologise in the House.
Adams apologised after he was found to have posted personal information of a DA staff member on Facebook without that person’s consent.
Daniels gave an unconditional apology for breaching parliamentary protocol after allowing a colleague into the Chamber after voting bells had rung.
Nkabane apologised to the House after being ordered to do so over her conduct linked to the appointment of SETA board chairpersons.
ACDP MP Steve Swart objected after Nkabane said she was apologising “on behalf of the House”.
Didiza later clarified that the apology was meant to be to the House, not on its behalf.
Mashatile fined R10 000
Mashatile was fined R10 000 for failing to declare a gift from businessman Louis Liebenberg.
Cameron was cautioned to be more careful in future interviews and public statements.
Macpherson was found to have breached the code after using a derogatory and discriminatory term when referring to ActionSA members.
Adams was suspended from debates and committees for 20 days, with his salary docked for those days.
Skosana was suspended for 15 days and fined R15 000.
Reddy was reprimanded for disregarding instructions from Deputy Speaker Annelie Lotriet during a plenary session.