ANC’s Zukisa Faku no longer fit to serve as an MP after being sentenced for fraud

27 September 2016

ANC Member of the National Assembly, Zukisa Faku, is no longer fit to serve as an MP following her sentencing to three years house arrest for fraud and theft by the East London Magistrate Court. House arrest will also make it impossible for Ms Faku to do her job, especially in light of the new attendance policy for Members.

Ms Faku was convicted of nine counts of fraud and theft in March of this year, relating to her misuse of a municipal credit card in 2009 and 2010 when she was mayor of Buffalo City. Ms Faku purchased luxury goods totalling nearly R15,000 during domestic and overseas travel.

Ms Faku acted with impunity as Mayor of Buffalo City and must now bear the consequences. I call on the ANC to recall her as a Member of Parliament, failing which we will refer the matter to the Joint Committee on Ethics and Members' Interest. 

I commend the judiciary for taking Ms Faku to task and imposing an appropriate sentence. I trust the rest of the ANC Caucus will take note that, even though the majority party takes a lenient view on impropriety, an independent judiciary still exists in South Africa and the rule of law applies. 

Issued by John Steenhuisen, Chief Whip of the Democratic Alliance, 27 September 2016