Parly to start disciplinary hearing into Zwane's ethics code violations

CAPE TOWN - Parliament will on Tuesday start its disciplinary hearing into former minister Mosebenzi Zwane for violating the ethics code and disregarding Parliament.  

The matter has been referred to the powers and privileges committee, which will conduct the hearing into Zwane’s various breaches. 
 
The hearing starts after Zwane failed to apologise to the House after being found guilty of failing to declare Gupta-sponsored benefits by the ethics committee. 

Last year, Parliament’s joint committee on ethics and members’ interests found Zwane guilty of failing to declare Gupta-sponsored travel and benefits. 

One of the recommended sanctions against Zwane was a public reprimand and an apology in the National Assembly, but Zwane failed to attend. 

At the time, African National Congress (ANC) chief whip Pemmy Majodina said Zwane’s failure to appear must be dealt with appropriately by Parliament. 

The powers and privileges committee will start another process against Zwane, which will be public, unlike the ethics committee investigation.  

The ethics committee had also recommended to the National Assembly penalties against Zwane for his Gupta-related transgressions and that he be fined the amount of five days’ salary. 

The powers and privileges committee is also expected to hand down an even harsher fine should Zwane be found guilty.