An investigation by the Public Protector into the affairs of Defence Minister Mosiuoa Lekota, who earlier this year was found guilty of contravening Parliament’s ethics code, has recommended he not be penalised again for the offence.
In a report on the investigation, released on Wednesday, the Public Protector also found there was no conflict of interest between Lekota’s business activities and his functions as a cabinet member.
The defence minister, who is also chair of the African national Congress (ANC), contravened the parliamentary code when he failed to declare his interests in a petroleum distribution company, a wine cellar, and properties in Bloemfontein and Durban.
In May this year he was reprimanded for this by National Assembly Speaker Frene Ginwala, and fined a week’s salary.
Last month, the ANC’s national disciplinary committee (NDC), which also looked into the matter, found Lekota guilty of contravening the party’s constitution, and bringing the organisation into disrepute and conduct unbecoming.
It decided to ”seriously reprimand” and fine Lekota R5 000.
In a letter to Ginwala and the National Assembly on Wednesday, President Thabo Mbeki said he accepted the findings of the Public Protector’s report.
Summarising its findings, he said it showed there had ”been no conflict of interests between the interests that Minister Lekota had in the business listed in the report and his functions as a member of the executive”.
”There has been a failure on the part of the minister to declare some financial interest in the entities listed in the report.”
However, ”imposing a penalty on the minister for such failure would amount to double punishment, the minister having been penalised by the National Assembly already,” Mbeki wrote.
The Public Protector’s investigation of Lekota’s affairs follows a complaint lodged by Democratic Alliance member of Parliament Douglas Gibson. – Sapa