14/03/2025
Nine MPs Fined for Undeclared Financial Interests
-------------------------
Parliament's joint committee on ethics and members' interests has fined nine MPs from various parties, including prominent figures such as MK Party spokesperson Nhlamulo Ndhlela, Minister Moropene Ramokgopa, and Deputy Ministers Sihle Zikalala, Mkhuleko Hlengwa, and Andries Nel, for failing to declare their financial interests by the October 2023 deadline, reports EWN. The fines, ranging from R10,000 to R12,500, were imposed alongside formal reprimands, as the committee emphasised that disclosing financial interests is a crucial accountability mechanism to the public. The MPs were required to declare their interests within 60 working days of Parliament's opening in July 2023, following the general election. Despite extensive training sessions conducted by the acting registrar, Advocate Anthea Gordon, to ensure compliance, the MPs failed to meet the deadline. The committee also rejected ANC MP Masetshego Mofokeng's request for a final warning instead of a fine, citing that the code does not allow for such exceptions. National Correspondent HESM [ 14 March 2025 ]
