DA not intimidated by ANC ethics complaint

20 January 2016

On Monday the DA referred ANC MP Bongani Mkongi to the Joint Committee on Ethics and Members' Interests (Ethics Committee) for racist remarks, incitement of violence, and possible involvement in the removal of an anti-Zuma billboard. 

Over the weekend Mr Mkongi called on members of the public to not only burn down the billboard, but the building it appeared on and its occupants. This incitement of violent arson and even murder was a clear violation of Section 4 of the Code of Ethical Conduct and Disclosure of Members Interests and required drastic disciplinary action.

To date the ANC has failed – and certain structures even refused – to take disciplinary action against Mr Mkongi. Instead, the ANC Chief Whip in Parliament, Stone Sizani, today lodged a retaliatory complaint against a DA MP with the Ethics Committee. 

This illustrates a party far more interested in using disciplinary structures such as the Ethics Committee to settle political scores and intimidate the opposition as opposed to holding its MPs accountable for their calls and actions.

The DA will however not be distracted or perturbed by another blatant ANC attempt to deflect attention from problematic MPs within its benches, and trust that the Ethics Committee will deal with Mr Mkongi swiftly.

Statement issued by John Steenhuisen MP, DA Chief Whip, 20 January 2016