Parliament will debate Zuma Inc. disclosures
This morning, the Portfolio Committee on Private Members' Legislative Proposals discussed its recommendation report on the Democratic Alliance's (DA) proposed changes to the Executive Members' Ethics Act which would regulate interactions between government entities and members of the president's family.
The Committee rejected our proposal. The DA opposes this decision. The issue will now have to be debated in the National Assembly.
We will use that opportunity to highlight our concerns regarding allegations that members of the President's family are benefitting from dubious transactions with the state and call for improved oversight over the executive.
When our proposals were discussed in the committee in March, we faced a very defensive and hostile attitude from ANC members of the committee and were accused of playing the man and not the ball. The Honourable Ms Mdaka of the ANC, told us that anything deemed to be oppositional ‘for opposition's sake' will not be considered, ‘case closed'.
Today, the ANC committee whip, Honourable Kubayi, and her colleague, Honourable Mdaka, apologised for this outburst and the committee acknowledged that their rejection of our proposal was not communicated appropriately.
The apologetic attitude did not alter the committee's rejection of the substance of our proposal.
We propose that:
- Decisions regarding the adjudication of conflicts of interest involving the President, his children and spouses should be made by the Public Protector. Currently, the President is supposed to adjudicate his own conflicts of interest.
- State deals involving the President's family members should come under scrutiny by the Auditor-General to ensure that all tender processes are followed to the letter and that no special favours are granted on the grounds of family connection.
- That the Public Protector should adjudicate whether the President has complied with the Executive Ethics Code. Currently, oversight lies with the President himself.
- That the President's register of interests be made more easily accessible to the public.
When the report of the Portfolio Committee on Private Members' Legislative Proposals is discussed in the National Assembly, the DA will re-iterate our support for changes to the Executive Ethics Act which would support effective oversight over the business activities of the President and his family.
Statement issued by Athol Trollip MP, DA Shadow Minister of Rural Development and Land Reform, April 25 2012
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