Joint Committee on Ethics & Members' Interests Election of Co-Chairpersons

Meeting report

Election of Co-Chairpersons
Ms F Mahomed, Registrar of Members Interests, presided over the nomination and election of the Co-Chairpersons. She noted that in terms of the rules, one Member must be appointed from the National Assembly (NA) and the other from the National council of Provinces (NCOP).

Mr L Landers (ANC) and Mr B Mashile (ANC) were unanimously elected as Co-chairpersons. The former represented the NA whereas the latter represented the NCOP.

Mr Landers thanked Members for showing confidence in him and his partner and promised that they would work closely with Members when carrying out their duties.

Consideration and Adoption: Register of Members Interests
Ms Mahomed reported that there were two members of the committee who were going to submit their disclosure of interests’ forms in the following week.

Mr Landers asked the Committee if the late disclosure of interests would be condoned.

The Committee agreed that they would accept the late submissions. At the same time, the Committee also agreed that Members could inform the Registrar if there were any inaccuracies contained in the Register.

Members were requested to examine the Register to establish whether the information it contained was accurate.

The Committee adopted the Register of Member’s Interest without amendments.

Mr Landers noted that he was the only Member who had previously served on the Committee. As a result, he suggested that a workshop be arranged so that Members are educated about the business of the Committee.

Mr J van der Merwe (IFP) asked if the Committee would allow the media to attend the workshop.

Mr Landers replied that this would be a decision of the Committee.

Dr Z Luyenge (ANC) argued that the Committee should not hide anything and that the media should be allowed to attend the workshop.

The Committee accepted this recommendation.

The Committee also agreed that the workshop would be held on 14 September 2009 subject to approval by the House Chairperson.

The meeting was adjourned.