Parliamentary Ethics Committee must investigate Ramatlhodi's Mining interests

29 June 2014

The DA will request that Parliament's Ethics and Members Interest Committee be urgently constituted so that it can launch an investigation into claims relating to the Minister of Mineral Resources, Ngoako Ramatlhodi's alleged R20 million conflict of interest in the mining sector. 

This follows concerning reports of Minister Ramatlhodi's financial stake in Atlatsa Resources, a black economic empowerment partner of Anglo American Platinum (see Amabhungane report). 

The report raises concerns over the exact nature and full extent of the disclosure of the Minister's financial interest in the sector. 

As per the Executive Ethics Code, members of the executive are enjoined to conduct themselves in a manner which prevents the risk of a conflict of interest between their official responsibilities and their private interests. 

Furthermore, members of the executive are also required, before adjudicating or deciding on a matter in which the member has a personal or private financial interest, to declare such interests to the President and seek permission to act in the matter.

The Minister's duties relating to the sector, his recent involvement in the platinum strike negotiations, and the yet to be determined extent of the Minister's stake in the mining sector, present a conflict of interest irrespective of whether he has acted on it presently.

In coming to a speedy determination, as per rule 138 of Parliament, the Committee should request all relevant documentation to be presented to the committee, as well as summon the Minister himself, for it to review whether the Minister is indeed in violation of the code. 

The Committee must:

Determine the full extent of the Minister's financial interest in the mining sector;

Determine which interests have been placed under the administration and control of an independent and professional person or agency; 

Determine whether the Minister disclosed said interests and acquired the requisite clearance to engage in the platinum sector negotiations; and

Should misconduct be found, impose an appropriate sanction within the rules. 

It is imperative that government acts with the utmost transparency and accountability. 

Parliament must exercise the full extent of its oversight powers and fully investigate these allegations. 

Statement issued by James Lorimer MP, DA Shadow Minister of Mineral Resources, June 29 2014

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