The National Assembly sanctioned three MPs on Tuesday for failing to comply with parliament’s code of ethics.
Attempts by ANC MP and former transport minister Dipuo Peters and EFF deputy president Floyd Shivambu to stall the process did not succeed. Peters wanted the recommendation by the joint committee on ethics and members’ interests not to be considered, while Shivambu asked for the matter to be removed from the order paper because it was before the courts.
But National Assembly speaker Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula did not accede to the requests, and sanctions were imposed on Peters and Shivambu. Police minister Bheki Cele will be asked to apologise in the house at some future date for his actions at an event in July 2022.
The complaint against Peters related to her actions as transport minister and her failure to act in accordance with the public trust placed in her and to discharge her obligations in terms of the constitution. She was sanctioned to a suspension of one term from all sittings of the National Assembly and from all committee meetings.
Shivambu lost nine days’ salary for failing to disclose his financial interests.
Mapisa-Nqakula will inform the MPs when the sanctions will commence.
A reprimand is also pending against ANC MP Nomsa Kubheka for nondisclosure of financial interests in 2022 by the due date.
The complaints against Peters related to her failure as transport minister to appoint a permanent group CEO for Prasa, which resulted in a financial loss for the company; her dismissal of a board led by Popo Molefe; and her approval of the use of Prasa buses for ANC events during 2014 and 2015 without ensuring payment by the party. Peters insisted before the committee that she did not benefit personally from any of the actions.
Shivambu was found guilty by the joint committee on ethics and members’ interests of failing to disclose the R180,000 of VBS Mutual Bank money he received in 2017.
Cele was found to have acted in contravention of the code when he told Action Society director for community safety Ian Cameron to “shut up”, during a SAPS imbizo in July 2022. His sanction is to apologise to Cameron. Cele was reported in October as saying he would take the committee's decision on review.
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