Parly’s ethics committee co-chair says she trusts that MPs were honest about disclosing financial interests
Lusizo Makhubela said that while Parliament did not verify the accuracy of the disclosures, the committee would rigorously investigate any complaint that suggested disclosures had not been honest.
Newly-elected joint ethics and members' interests co-chairpersons, Joseph Britz (left) and Lusizo Makhubela (right). Picture: @ParliamentofRSA/X
CAPE TOWN - Co-chairperson of Parliament’s ethics committee, Lusizo Makhubela, said she trusts that parliamentarians had been honest about disclosing their financial interests.
It’s the first time that all MPs have made the deadline to submit their disclosures on time.
While the leaders of political parties mostly declared shares, pensions, property and family trusts, at least two said they had absolutely nothing to disclose.
While Deputy President Paul Mashatile has updated his declaration from last year to include a Cape Town property, the MK Party’s parliamentary leader, John Hlophe, has not made a single declaration in any of the categories, despite being known in the past to live on a farm near Paarl.
The National Coloured Congress (NCC) leader, Fadiel Adams, also said that he had nothing to disclose.
Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) leader, Julius Malema, meanwhile, indicated that he doesn’t own property, while Democratic Alliance (DA) leader, John Steenhuisen, disclosed a rental property in Cape Town, and Build One South Africa (BOSA) leader, Mmusi Maimane, declared a family home and a rented residence.
Meanwhile, Patriotic Alliance leader, Gayton McKenzie, declared directorships of over 20 companies ranging from solar energy to media, entertainment and mining, which he said had all been de-registered. He also declared a residential property in Cape Town.
Makhubela said that the public could lodge a complaint with the Speaker if they believed the disclosures were not a true representation of an MP's financial interests.
"We believe that members of Parliament would act in the best interest of the oath of office that they took, and we believe and trust what they’ve disclosed is correct."
Makhubela said that while Parliament did not verify the accuracy of the disclosures, the committee would rigorously investigate any complaint that suggested disclosures had not been honest.