Parliament’s Joint Committee on Ethics and Members’ Interests says it has recommended that the Houses of Parliament reprimand nine MPs and impose fines ranging from R10 000 to R12 500, for failing to disclose their financial and registrable interests by the 2024 deadline.

The committee pointed out that item 12(4) of the Code of Ethical Conduct and Disclosure of Members’ Interests prescribes that after a general election, MPs must disclose their registrable interests within 60 working days of the opening of Parliament.

The MPs in breach are the African National Congress’s Sihle Zikalala, Solomon Patrick Mabilo, Mluleki Dlelanga, Mzoleli Mrara, Masetshego Mofokeng, Moropene Ramokgopa and Andries Nel; the uMkhonto weSizwe Party’s Nhlamulo Ndhlela; and Mkhuleko Hlengwa from the Inkatha Freedom Party.

The committee recommended that Dlelanga and Mabilo be fined R12 500 each.

It highlighted that Mabilo was given three opportunities after the due date to submit his disclosure.

“The Member was aware of the requests to submit the disclosure. The Member did not submit any reasons for the consideration of the Committee when evaluating whether the Member breached the Code. The Member’s financial and registrable interests do not appear in the public register that was published on the Parliamentary website,” it said.

All the other MPs will each get a reprimand in the House; and a fine of R10 000 for a first offence of breach of the Code.

The committee noted that Acting Registrar of Members’ Interests, Advocate Anthea Gordon held extensive training sessions with MPs during 2024, to ensure that new MPs were aware of the obligation to declare their interests.