South Africa’s Parliament has imposed R10,000 fines on eight lawmakers – including Deputy Public Works Minister Sihle Zikalala and MK Party spokesperson Nhlamulo Ndhlela – for failing to disclose their financial interests by the October 2024 deadline.
The Joint Committee on Ethics and Members’ Interests found all eight politicians in breach of parliamentary disclosure rules, emphasizing that no valid excuses were presented for the late submissions. The sanctioned members represent multiple political parties, demonstrating Parliament’s non-partisan enforcement of ethical standards.
Zikalala, a senior ANC figure, claimed an “administrative oversight” led him to believe his declaration to the Presidency sufficed. Ndhlela, the newly sworn-in MK Party MP, cited time constraints and technical issues – arguments the committee dismissed as unconvincing.
Ethics co-chairs Phumelele Mkhwebane and Bekizwe Nkosi stressed: “All members must lead by example in accountability to voters.” The fines follow Parliament’s intensified efforts to enforce transparency after recent scandals eroded public trust.
