NCOP adopts ethics report that will see several MPs, Cabinet ministers fined for not disclosing interests
Those who failed to disclose their public and confidential interests include the likes of Deputy Minister of Public Works Sihle Zikalala, as well as Minister in the Presidency Maropene Ramokgopa.
Deputy Minister of Public Works and Infrastructure Sihle Zikalala during debate on the State of the Nation Address in Parliament on 11 February 2025. Picture: GCIS
CAPE TOWN - The National Council of Provinces (NCOP) has adopted a joint ethics report that will see several MPs and members of Cabinet fined for not disclosing their interests.
The committee's report was earlier adopted by the National Assembly, but required the NCOP's adoption before the penalties of up to R10,000 could be implemented against them.
Those who failed to disclose their public and confidential interests include the likes of Deputy Minister of Public Works Sihle Zikalala, as well as Minister in the Presidency Maropene Ramokgopa.
The NCOP on Thursday considered the report of the joint committee on ethics and members' interests on non-disclosure of members' interests for 2024.
It found several members in contravention of the code of ethical conduct and disclosure of members' interests.
Co-chairperson of the committee, Henni Britz, reminded members about some of the penalties imposed on the transgressing MPs.
"In respect of the Honourable Sihle Zikalala, the member failed and or neglected to submit both the public and confidential disclosure by the due date of 14 October 2024, and therefore the committee recommends to the House that a penalty of a reprimand in the House, a fine of R10,000 for a first offence be imposed."
All nine provinces represented in the NCOP supported the adoption of the report, which means the sanctions against the MPs will now come into effect.