Key Takeaways
- National Assembly Speaker Thoko Didiza reprimanded several MPs after the Joint Committee on Ethics and Members’ Interest adopted nine reports covering eight parliamentarians.
- Sanctions ranged from verbal reprimands and salary dockings to suspensions and fines, with offenders required to apologize in the House.
- Deputy President Paul Mashatile received a R10,000 fine for failing to declare a gift from businessman Louis Liebenberg.
- DA MP Ian Cameron and Public Works Minister Dean Macpherson faced objections from their parties to the ethics reports; Cameron was cautioned about future public statements, while Macpherson will be engaged further by the Speaker.
- National Coloured Congress leader Fadiel Adams apologised for posting a DA staffer’s personal information without consent and was suspended for 20 days with salary docking.
- Former Higher Education Minister Nobuhle Nkabane’s apology—mistakenly phrased “on behalf of the House”—was corrected by Didiza; she was ordered to apologise for breaches related to the SETA board appointments.
- Patriotic Alliance MP Marlon Daniels gave an unconditional apology for allowing a colleague into the Chamber after voting bells had rung and accepted full responsibility.
- MK Party MPs David Skosana and Visvin Reddy were sanctioned: Skosana received a 15‑day suspension and a R15,000 fine; Reddy was reprimanded for ignoring instructions from Deputy Speaker Annelie Lotriet.
- The Speaker stressed that the oath of office extends beyond parliamentary chambers to social media and public conduct, urging all members to remember their ethical responsibilities.
Overview of the Ethics Committee’s Findings
On Thursday, National Assembly Speaker Thoko Didiza presided over a plenary session in which nine reports from the Joint Committee on Ethics and Members’ Interest were adopted. The reports investigated alleged breaches of the Ethical Code of Conduct by eight parliamentarians. The Speaker noted that the majority of the implicated members expressed remorse for their actions, but she reminded them that their oath of office obliges them to uphold ethical standards not only inside the House but also in their public and online behaviour.
Deputy President Paul Mashatile’s Sanction
Deputy President Paul Mashatile was fined R10,000 for failing to declare a gift received from businessman Louis Liebenberg. The ethics committee determined that the omission contravened the disclosure requirements designed to prevent conflicts of interest. Mashatile accepted the penalty and was required to issue a formal apology to the House for his lapse in transparency.
DA MPs Ian Cameron and Dean Macpherson – Party Objections
The Democratic Alliance (DA) objected to the adoption of the reports concerning its members Ian Cameron, chairperson of the Police Portfolio Committee, and Dean Macpherson, Minister of Public Works and Infrastructure. Cameron was cautioned to exercise greater care in future interviews and public statements after a POPCRU complaint characterised his television remarks on the acquittal of Mashatile’s VIP officers as “shameful and immoral,” labeling the officers as “rogue” and “criminals.” Macpherson was found to have used a derogatory and discriminatory term—referring to ActionSA members as “amaphara”—which violated the Ethical Code’s prohibitions against hateful language. Didiza indicated she would engage directly with Macpherson and the DA to address the party’s objections and ensure appropriate remedial action.
National Coloured Congress Leader Fadiel Adams
Fadiel Adams, leader of the National Coloured Congress and an MP, posted personal information of a DA staff member on Facebook without that individual’s consent. The ethics committee deemed this a clear violation of privacy and parliamentary propriety. Adams was suspended from participating in parliamentary debates and committees for 20 days, with his salary docked accordingly. During the plenary, he offered a profuse apology, stating, “Let’s hope it does not happen again,” and accepted full responsibility for the breach.
Former Higher Education Minister Nobuhle Nkabane
Nobuhle Nkabane was ordered to apologise for failing to act in accordance with the public trust placed in her, particularly regarding the appointment of SETA board chairpersons, which undermined public confidence in Parliament’s integrity. During her apology, Nkabane mistakenly said she was apologising “on behalf of the House.” ACDP MP Steve Swart objected, arguing that the apology should be directed to the House, not offered on its behalf. Speaker Didiza acknowledged the slip, clarifying that the intended apology was to the House, not on its behalf, and corrected the record.
Patriotic Alliance MP Marlon Daniels
Marlon Daniels gave a comprehensive, unconditional apology for allowing his colleague Raatiqah Tagodien to enter the Chamber after the voting bells had rung—a breach of parliamentary protocol. Daniels accepted that his actions were out of order, pledged full commitment not to repeat the incident, and took full responsibility. The ethics committee accepted his apology, and no further sanctions beyond the apology were imposed on him.
MK Party MPs David Skosana and Visvin Reddy
David Skosana received a 15‑day suspension from parliamentary duties and a fine of R15,000 for unspecified ethical violations outlined in the committee’s report. Visvin Reddy was reprimanded for disregarding instructions from National Assembly Deputy Speaker Annelie Lotriet during a plenary session. Both MPs were required to apologise to the House for their conduct, reinforcing the expectation that all members adhere to procedural rulings and ethical standards.
Speaker Didiza’s Closing Remarks
Speaker Thoko Didiza concluded the session by emphasizing that the oath of office extends beyond the parliamentary chamber to every public utterance and social‑media post. She urged all MPs to continually reflect on their ethical obligations, reminding them that sanctions such as reprimands, salary dockings, suspensions, and fines serve not only as punishment but also as corrective measures to restore public trust. Didiza expressed hope that the ethics committee’s engagement with the affected members would lead to lasting behavioural change and reinforce the integrity of South Africa’s legislative institution.