/ 21 May 2009

Asmal backs review of ethics rules

Former minister Kader Asmal has added his voice to calls for a review of the ethics rules for MPs and members of the executive.

”The executive ethics legislation … and the parliamentary code of conduct and disclosure of interests must be brought up to date,” Asmal said in a speech at the University of the Western Cape on Thursday.

The ANC veteran was a prime mover in the adoption of the legislation, and also headed Parliament’s ethics committee.

He has now retired from active politics.

His call follows controversy over a contractor’s gift to new Transport Minister S’bu Ndebele of a top-of-the-range Mercedes-Benz, which Ndebele, after some hesitation, has returned to the donors.

In the wake of the furore, Cabinet ministers this week said they wanted clearer guidelines on handling gifts.

Asmal also said clear rules were needed on election campaign financing.

”We need … to have a debate about the public and private funding of political parties if we are to ensure that our public policy processes are not captured by interests but actively serve our people.”

He warned that South Africa still faced challenges if it was to fortify democracy and ensure its continued health for future generations.

Men and women from all walks of life had to have a real sense of ownership of the democratic project, a ”custodianship of a special kind”, that transcended the process of simply voting every five years.

He said the people’s faith and trust for a better life ”cannot forever be a dream deferred”. — Sapa