1997 Disclosures / Conflict of interests

The committee's first meeting this year, dealt with issues around the recent publication of the Register of Members' Interests, as well as conflict of interests relating to members' involvement in commercial enterprises.

Professor Kader Asmal (ANC) and Mr. Ray Radue (NP) chaired the meeting.

Referring to the minutes of the previous meeting, Asmal pointed out that the committee would be discussing with the NCOP regarding the extension of the code to the provinces. Registrar Mahomed reported regarding progress in Gauteng and Northern Province.

It is anticipated, given President Mandela's recent announcement, that the Code of Conduct on Members' Financial Interests will be extended to the Cabinet Ministers, members of provincial executive councils, and senior civil servants, said Asmal.

A number of members pointed to discrepancies in the published list, with their names being omitted despite completing their forms well in time. These included Radue and Piet Matthee who pointed to the public embarrassment they had to endure.

The Registrar reported that two MPs had not completed their forms - the one is sick and the other was preparing her mother's funeral. Douglas Gibson (DP) pointed out that this is no excuse since the deadline for entries was three months ago. Asmal said the two members would be given seven days to complete the register.

The Registrar reported on the problems around publication of the register. She blamed some of the problems on Idasa. She was confident her information was correct before it was passed on to Idasa.

The Registrar reported that a recent case of an MP's alleged involvement in illegal gambling deals, raises issues of conflict of interests and questions around how the committee should respond to these.