NA reprimands MS Pinky Kekana for contravening the Code of Ethical Conduct and Members’ Interest

30 November 2022

The National Assembly (NA) has, during its plenary sitting today, reprimanded the Deputy Minister in the Presidency, Ms Pinky Kekana, for contravening the Code of Ethical Conduct and Members’ Interest (“the Code”).
 
The reprimand follows the adoption by the House of the report of the Joint Committee on Ethics and Members’ Interest. The Committee’s report recommended that Ms Kekana be reprimanded in the House following her breach of item 10.1.1.1 read with item 9.3.7 of the Code. She had failed to comply with the requirements of the provision for disclosing interests.
 
The Speaker of the National Assembly referred to the Ethics Committee to process a matter that concerned part 4, volume 2 of the Judicial Commission of Inquiry into State Capture Report, which focused on the Free State asbestos project and R1 billion housing project debacles. The commission’s report highlighted that Ms Kekana received R170 000 from Blackhead Diamond Hill Joint Venture, through Mr Sodi, without clear evidence that she had provided any goods and/or services to justify the payment. Ms Kekana acknowledged that she did receive the money.
 
In processing the report, an extensive process followed guided by the Code of Ethical Conduct and the Disclosure of Members’ Interests.
 The committee resolved to recommend to the NA to impose the penalty as stipulated in item 10.7.7.1. (i) of the code, which provides that the Member be reprimanded in the House. 
 
Having considered the sanctions recommended by the Committee, the Assembly reprimanded Ms Kekana during the sitting.

Issued by Moloto Mothapo, Media Officer, Parliament, 30 November 2022