The Democratic Alliance and the Freedom Front Plus have asked Public Protector Lawrence Mushwana to probe Deputy President Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka’s recent trip to the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
The parties wrote separate letters on Tuesday asking Mushwana to investigate possible violations of the Executive Members Ethics Act by the deputy president arising from her private December trip.
Mlambo-Ngcuka, her family and reportedly Minister of Social Development Zola Skweyiya’s wife Thutukile Mazibuko-Skweyiya — accompanied by bodyguards and an air crew — flew to the UAE for a five-day holiday on a South African Air Force jet. The fuel alone was estimated to cost R400 000.
”The Presidency has confirmed that this was a private trip, undertaken as a part of a holiday for the deputy president and her family.
”However, it has now come to light that the deputy president is alleged to have been accompanied by the spouse of a minister in Cabinet as well other senior ANC [African National Congress] officials,” DA MP Gareth Morgan said in his letter. ”I therefore call on you to investigate the possible abuse of her office and state resources by the deputy president.”
What the Act says
The Act requires Cabinet members to act in good faith and in the best interests of good governance. The use of taxpayers’ money to pay for a private holiday, as well as for Mlambo-Ngcuka’s friends, would appear to be a violation of the Act, the letter said.
The Act also prohibits Cabinet members from exposing themselves to any situation involving the risk of a conflict between their official responsibilities and their private interest.
”The deputy president has claimed that she inspected the construction industry in the United Arab Emirates during her stay.
”Therefore, a possible conflict of interest needs to be investigated into whether her husband, Bulelani Ngcuka, who has substantial interest in a South African construction company, in [any] way benefited from these interactions,” it says.
The Act also prohibits members of Cabinet from using their position, or any information entrusted to them, to enrich themselves or improperly benefit any other person.
If it is proved that a spouse of a member of Cabinet, or any other person, not a member of government, was allowed to travel on the aircraft in question, then the deputy president would be guilty of improperly benefiting the people concerned.
Benefits
It is also required that a Cabinet member disclose to the president’s office any financial interests acquired after their assumption of office, including any gifts, sponsored foreign travel and hospitality.
The letter said as it has been reported that Mlambo-Ngcuka was accommodated in one of the royal palaces of the UAE royal family, it would need to be investigated whether this benefit was declared. If it was not, this would constitute a violation of the Act.
FF+ MP Willie Spies said he has asked Mushwana to establish whether the trip was undertaken in the course of Mlambo-Ngcuka’s duties, or part of private family business enterprises, or as an overseas holiday.
He also wants Mushwana to probe if Mazibuko-Skweyiya went on the trip.
The income-tax position with regard to the travel benefit enjoyed by the deputy president if the trip was undertaken as a private holiday has to be established.
The FF+ also wants to know whether the journey and the accompanying expenses were approved in accordance with the provisions of the Public Finance Management Act.
Morgan called for the matter to be probed urgently, saying it is a matter of considerable public interest. — Sapa