By OBAKENG MAJE
The Joint Committee on Ethics and Members’ Interests is confident that during the 6th term of Parliament it has carried through the promise made on 11 September 2019, to process all cases before it with speed, impartiality and in accordance with the Code of Ethical Conduct and Disclosure of Members’ Interests for Assembly and Permanent Council Members.
The Joint Committee on Ethics and Members’ Interests was established in terms of Joint Rule 121 of the Joint Rules of Parliament, primarily to implement the code, to develop standards of ethical conduct for Assembly and Council Members and to perform other functions and exercise other powers reasonably assigned to the committee by both houses.
One of the Co-Chairpersons of Joint Committee on Ethics and Members’ Interests, Bekizwe Nkosi said, in line with this promise to speedily process complaints, the Office of the Registrar of Member’s Interests, received 41 complaints of alleged breaches of the code over the term of the 6th Parliament.
Nkosi said of the 41 complaints, the committee finalised 35 of them.
“Six matters were not completed. Of these six, three relate to current Members of Parliament, while three relate to people who are no longer MPs. Essentially, therefore, there are only three active complaints before the joint committee.
“The 41 complaints do not include alleged breaches of the code in respect of late disclosure of members’ interests, where MPs failed to meet the annual disclosure deadline,” he said.
Another Co-Chairperson, Lydia Moshodi shared the same sentiments. Moshodi said during this term, the committee also processed cases emanating from the Judicial Commission of Inquiry into Allegations of State Capture, Corruption and Fraud in the Public Sector including Organs of State.
She further said the committee meticulously processed and made recommendations to the house, as per the code. Moshodi added that the committee also enhanced its processes to ensure the speedy declaration of interests to enhance accountability.
“This marks a huge stride forward for the Joint Committee on Ethics and Members’ Interests under the strategic and operational leadership of the acting Registrar, Adv Anthea Gordon.
“The time it took to prepare and release the Register of Members’ Interests is now significantly shorter than in previous years, demonstrating the Joint Committee on Ethics and Members’ Interests’ commitment to ensuring accountability to the electorate,” she said.
Moshodi said this term’s joint committee also reviewed the code and brought it in line with contemporary challenges. She said the review has now set a framework for MPs’ ethical interaction on social media.
“This has strengthened penalties for breaches of the code and recommended lifestyle audits for risk-based profile lifestyle audits for categories of members, including Presiding Officers, Chairpersons of committees, Chief Whips of all political parties, any member that has been red-flagged by the e-disclosure system, and any other member or category of members, as the committee may identify from time to time,” she said.
Moshodi said if there is an allegation of fraud, bribery, corruption, or unethical conduct against a MP, they shall also form part of the risk profile for a lifestyle audit. She said the code also entrenches the close working relationship with law enforcement agencies in cases where there is an unexplainable discrepancy with the audit to enable a full-scale lifestyle audit.
“This evolution of the code takes Parliament a step further in entrenching values of ethical behaviour and accountability.
“The committee has put in place a solid foundation for the incoming committee and is certain that reforms in place will enhance the credibility of Parliament in delivering its mandate of oversight over the executive,” said Moshodi.
TaungDailyNews 