Thoko Didiza's stern warning to MPs over financial disclosures

National Assembly Speaker Thoko Didiza on Thursday rebuked three deputy ministers and four ordinary MPs for failing to declare their financial interests within the stipulated deadline last year.

Didiza made Public Works and Infrastructure Deputy Minister Sihle Zikalala, Deputy Minister of Justice and Constitutional Development Andries Nel, and Deputy Minister of Transport Mkhuleko Hlengwa, along with MK Party MP and national spokesperson Nhlamulo Ndlela, and ANC MPs Mluleki Dlelanga, Mzoleli Mrara, and Masetshego Mofokeng stand up like schoolchildren when reprimanding them at the start of the plenary sitting.

Monitoring and Evaluation Minister Moropene Ramokgopa tendered her apology because she is on an international trip, but she will be reprimanded on her return to the House.

Didiza rebuked the deputy ministers and MPs after the Joint Committee on Ethics and Members’ Interests found that they did not disclose their financial and registrable interests by the due date on October 14, 2024.

She said the ethics code provided a set of values for members, which obligated them to annually declare their financial interest in a public register.

“This allows the public to confirm that no member may have been exposed to any conflict of interest. Honourable members, who are standing today, you have failed to disclose your financial interest for 2024 in due time.”

Didiza said that if a member has missed the date, they shall be reprimanded as such and are still obliged to tender their financial interests.

“It does not mean that these members have not declared for 2024, but they were late in terms of the deadline. It is apparent from the committee report that you were provided a fair opportunity to present your records and not having done so, to adequately explain your failures,” she said.

Didiza also said the actions by the affected deputy ministers and the MPs had the potential to erode public interest in Parliament.

“I just want to say this is unacceptable. It is also objectionable and deserving of serious consequences, as it has already been determined by the committee in terms of the fine that you have been given.”

She noted that financial penalties have been imposed and that they will be implemented without delay.

“I trust, therefore, that this reprimand sends a message to all of us as members to live up to our obligations and ensure that we comply with the code.”

Didiza reminded the MPs that Monday is the last day for next disclosures.

“Can I remind you again you do so without delays,” she said.

“This is not a matter that we really should be laughing about. It is important and serious for all of us. While we are reprimanding the members, who may not have done so in 2024, but it still requires consciousness, and we must attend to this matter as members,” Didiza said.

A penalty of R10,000 each will be docked from the salaries of Zikalala, Hlengwa, Nel, Dlelanga, Ndhlela, Mrara, and Mofokeng for the offence imposed in breach of the ethics code.

mayibongwe.maqhina@inl.co.za