The Joint Committee on Ethics and Members’ Interests has cleared National Assembly Speaker, Ms Baleka Mbete, of any breach of the Code of Conduct for Assembly and Council Members regarding her acquisition of shares in Gold Fields.
The Committee resolved this today when it was considering a complaint submitted by Mr Bantubonke Holomisa on 22 October 2014. In his complaint, Mr Holomisa requested that the Committee consider allegations that the Speaker may have improperly acquired shares in Gold Fields. Mr Holomisa further requested clarity on whether the Speaker received two salaries.
In determining whether the acquisition of shares was improper, the Committee pointed out that the Code of Conduct specifically applied to Members of Parliament. Ms Mbete was not a Member of Parliament at the time (in 2010) when she acquired the shares in question. The Committee also confirmed that the Speaker disclosed her financial interests in Rich Cove Investment as required in terms of the Joint Rules. On the matter of receiving two salaries, the Committee was satisfied that the Speaker confirmed in writing that she received one salary.
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