Ethics Committee issues stern warning to MPs over conduct violations, fines Mashatile R10,000

The Ethics Committee has issued a stern warning to Members of Parliament regarding their obligations under the Code of Ethical Conduct.

The warning came following the adoption of five committee reports by the National Council of Provinces (NCOP) on Wednesday, exposing a disturbing trend of misconduct among some parliamentarians.

Co-chairperson Joseph Britz emphasised that the integrity of Parliament requires members to uphold the highest ethical standards, warning that persistent disregard for the code will lead to harsher penalties.

“The committee has resolved to initiate a comprehensive review of the Code of Ethical Conduct and members' interests. This review will focus on strengthening enforcement mechanisms, adopting provisions relating to visual conduct, and enhancing deterrence for repeated violations,” Britz said.

He stated that the details of the public participation process are set to be announced in early 2026.

The committee’s findings presented to the NCOP included complaints lodged against Deputy President Paul Mashatile, DA MP Ian Cameron, ANC MP Windy Plaatjies, and National Coloured Congress leader Fadiel Adams.

In a notable case, the committee mandated that Mashatile be reprimanded and fined R10,000 for failing to declare a gift to his wife in the confidential section of his financial disclosure documents.

In another instance, Cameron faced a reprimand and was cautioned to exercise greater caution in his public statements following comments made after the acquittal of several members of the VIP Protection Unit associated with Mashatile, stemming from a complaint by Popcru's second deputy general secretary, Chakale Mahlatsi.

Adams encountered disciplinary action after breaching the code for a second time.

He publicly disclosed the personal information of a DA staff member on social media without permission, an act that prompted DA chief whip George Michalakis to file a complaint.

Adams will not only receive a reprimand but has also been suspended from parliamentary debates and committees for a period of 20 days, during which his salary and allowances will be reduced accordingly.

Other reports concerning Plaatjies and Cameron's actions stemming from separate complaints by academic Mary de Haas and Central Karoo District Municipality manager Jackson Penxa, respectively, were determined to be unfounded by the Ethics Committee.

Speaking on the findings on misconduct by the Ethics Committee, ANC MP Malesela Frans Mokwele reiterated his party's commitment to ethical conduct as a cornerstone of governance.

He said the ANC has always placed ethical conduct as its highest guard on the need to advance the ethical and developmental state.

Mokwele also said the sanction against Mashatile will serve as a lesson for MPs to always be in charge of the gifts they receive during their work.

“The ANC supports the observation and the findings, and the penalty of the Ethical Committee to ensure that we uphold the high standard of ethical conduct in the government, irrespective of who is involved.”

Mokwele also said they supported the other findings against other MPs.

He urged members to protect the decorum and the integrity of Parliament in their conduct as public representatives.

“We call on all Members of Parliament to uphold this (code of conduct) and understand that our conduct has a direct impact on our society,” said Mokwele.

[email protected]