Parliament finds Dlodlo guilty of misconduct
Minister’s stay at a Dubai hotel broke code
Parliament’s ethics committee has found that public service and administration minister Ayanda Dlodlo breached the code that guides MPs’ conduct when she did not declare her stay at Dubai’s Oberoi Hotel. Dlodlo’s stay at the hotel was paid for by controversial businessman Fana Hlongwane. Dlodlo’s sanction will be a reprimand in the house. In June 2017, DA MP Phumzile van Damme lodged a complaint with the committee following a report published by Sowetan on June 5 2017 that Dlodlo, then deputy minister of public service and administration, stayed at the luxury hotel in 2015 and enjoyed spa massages, room service and car hire – none of which she paid for.
The article alleged the Gupta-owned company Sahara booked the accommodation but Hlongwane paid the invoice. Dlodlo was charged for not disclosing the benefit, as is required by the code of ethical conduct and disclosure of members’ interests.
A report of the joint committee on ethics and members’ interests published by parliament yesterday reveals that Dlodlo told the committee, which meets behind closed doors, that she and Hlongwane were childhood friends and that they considered themselves “sister and brother”. She said while she and Hlongwane are not blood relatives, Hlongwane’s biological father housed and cared for her and her family. “Therefore, the member was considered family of Mr Hlongwane according to ‘African culture’,” reads the report. It further states that when she undertook to meet Hlongwane in Dubai, she never saw it as anything other than a holiday with a brother. “The member categorically stated that at no time was she linked to any Gupta business, that she never met the Guptas and that she has never accepted anything from the Guptas.” Dlodlo further told the committee that the reason she did not declare the stay at the Oberoi Hotel and the additional benefits of spa massages, room service and car hire was because she considered Hlongwane her brother. MPs disagreed, according to the code which provides that gifts and hospitality in excess of R1,500 from a source other than a family member or permanent companion or gifts of a traditional nature must be disclosed.
The committee also ruled that while the code refers to a “family member”, its definition section refers to “immediate family” – meaning only a member’s spouse, permanent companion or dependants. The penalties provided by the code against offending MPs include: a reprimand in the house; a fine not exceeding the value of 30 days’ salary; a reduction of salary or allowances for a period not exceeding 30 days; or the suspension of certain privileges or an MP’s right to a seat
‘‘ The member stated that she was not linked to any Gupta business
in parliamentary debates or committees for a period not exceeding 30 days.
The committee recommended Dlodlo be reprimanded in the house and that she be ordered to rectify the breach and be counselled on the requirements of the code.