Code of Ethics for Members of the Executive

SECURITY AND CONSTITUTIONAL AFFAIRS SELECT COMMITTEE
15 May 2000
CODE OF ETHICS FOR MEMBERS OF THE EXECUTIVE

Chairperson: Mr JL Mahlangu

SUMMARY
All provinces gave approval of the Code of Ethics. Most provinces would be attending the debate scheduled for 16 May 2000.

The Code of Ethics, according to the ATC of 10 May 2000, had been referred to this Committee in error as it should have appropriately been considered by the Select Committee on Local Government. The Chairperson was concerned that his Committee could at the end of the day not be entitled to consider the code. An NCOP Whip expressed confidence that the Whips would reach consensus on the matter in their meeting that afternoon.

[Note: Agreement was later reached that the Code would be approved via this committee but the report would be submitted by the Select Committee on Provincial and Local Government.]

MINUTES
The Chairperson pointed out that the ATC of 10 May 2000 indicated that the Code of Ethics was erroneously referred to this Committee, but in fact should have been dealt with by the Select Committee on Local Government. His concern is that the process of dealing with the code should not be defeated by a technicality such as the one pointed out in the ATC.

Mr C Ackerman (NNP - Western Cape) said that he does not think the Committee could take a decision on the code but that it is for the National Council of Provinces to do so, what the Committee could do is decide if they are going to have a debate on it or not.

Mr MA Sulliman (ANC - Northern Province) said he agrees with Mr Ackerman but thinks that the Committee should submit a report to say that it has dealt with the document.

It was pointed out that the code was originally referred to the Local Government Select Committee. The Security and Constitutional Affairs Select Committee was asked to consider it only after it was found that the former committee would not be able to do so as that chairperson was on a committee tour overseas.

It was observed that in any event all the members in the Committee meeting were also members of the Local Government Select Committee and that Mr Mahlangu was only standing in for its Chairperson. It was suggested that the Committee could in that way consider the code and a member of the Local Government Select Committee present the report on the proceedings of the meeting.

Mr Sulliman, in his position as Whip responsible for programming in the NCOP, offered to clarify the matter in the meeting of the Whips. He expressed confidence that the Whips would agree to this.

The Chairperson asked the Committee Secretary which provinces had indicated that they would be attending the debate on the Code of Ethics on 16 May 2000.

The Committee Secretary said that the Eastern Cape had said it supports the Code but might not be coming. All the other provinces are expected to attend with the exception of Northern Province which has not given a formal acknowledgement of having received the invitation and whether it would be coming or not. The meeting was adjourned.