Peters loses urgent court bid to lift suspension from Parliament

CAPE TOWN - Deputy Minister of Small Business Development Dipuo Peters has lost an urgent court bid to lift her suspension from Parliament over matters related to corruption at the Passenger Rail Agency (PRASA).

Parliament has on Monday confirmed that Peters’ suspension from all business of the house will start on Tuesday until the 28th of March. This means she won’t be able to attend the State of the Nation Address either. 

Peters approached the Western Cape High Court after Parliament found she had breached the Members’ Code of Ethics when she was the transport minister overseeing PRASA. 

In October, the joint committee on ethics and members’ Interests sanctioned Peters for one parliamentary term after considering a complaint by lobby group Unite Behind. 

Its leader Zackie Achmat alleged that Peters was neglectful as the Minister of Transport by failing to appoint a group CEO for PRASA after the departure of Lucky Montana. 

A recruitment exercise cost the agency R1.7 million.

Achmat also contended that Peters had dismissed the PRASA board in 2017 because it had uncovered billions of rand in corruption. 

Peters was also accused of using PRSA buses for African National Congress events in 2014 and 2015 without ensuring payment for the services. 

Parliament’s ethics committee found that Peters’ conduct amounted to a breach of the code of conduct and that she had failed to act in accordance with public trust. 

Parliament has welcomed the court’s dismissal of Peters’ case - saying it appreciates the separation of powers for it not to interfere in the business of another arm of state.