Latest news with #CodeofEthicalConductandDisclosureofMembers'Interests
IOL News
2 days ago
- Politics
- IOL News
NCC MP Fadiel Adams faces consequences for sexist and racist remarks
National Coloured Congress (NCC) leader Fadiel Adams. Image: Ayanda Ndamane / Independent Newspapers National Coloured Congress (NCC) MP Fadiel Adams has been found guilty of breaching Parliament's Code of Ethical Conduct and Disclosure of Members' Interests following a nine-minute Facebook video in which he used crude, sexist, and racially charged language. The Joint Committee on Ethics and Members' Interests tabled its report to Parliament, recommending Adams be reprimanded, suspended for 15 sitting days, and that his salary be docked for the same period. He is also ordered to issue a public apology and attend a consultation on ethical conduct. The complaint was lodged by Democratic Alliance Chief Whip George Michalakis and submitted to the Office of the Registrar of Members' Interests on March 5, 2025. The complaint relates to a nine-minute video Adams posted on February 18, 2025, where he made a series of offensive remarks directed at a female member of the Democratic Alliance, the mayor of Cape Town, and the DA as a party. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ According to the complaint, Adams used explicit and offensive terms referring to race, gender, sexual conduct, and political affiliation. In addition to personal attacks, he made inflammatory allegations and threats directed at a woman's employer, at the mayor's children, and the City of Cape Town leadership. In the report, the complainant stated that the content of the social media post is as follows: 'ek weet nie wat makeer sekere coloured mense nie (I don't know what is wrong with some coloured people)', and 'some of us are so desperate to fit white sexual reproduction organs into our mouths … the Mackenzie family has been practising it for years'. He then refers to an individual as a 'ding' (thing) and 'the Right-Wing love coloureds that are a fit to work in the kitchen but think they can make their way into the office by sucking white genitalia'. He then also calls her a 'coloured mother's p**s', 'naai', 'h***me!d', 'vuil ma se p**s (and if you do not excuse my language, f**k you sommer)', 'smetterige vark (pig)', 'coloured mother f**k', 'this mother n**i' and says that she is so desperate for a white man's recognition. He then continues: 'I don't care if you are a woman, because you're not a woman as far as I am concerned because a mother doesn't do this' and 'I don't give a p**s, I am not gender biased, jou vuil n**i (you dirty f**k)'. With regards to members of the DA as 'f**ng agents', he refers to the mayor of Cape Town as a 'piece of sh*t', 'wit god' and to 'his f**ng kids'. He then falsely accuses the mayor and the city of murder and fuelling violence. He furthermore threatens the female individual that he will approach her employer ('there will be consequences at your workplace') and tell them that 'you're employing a piece of sh*t' and then goes further to threaten the employer himself, stating that if she does not remove a Facebook post that 'your boss will not trade for a day or two', threatening to ignore a High Court order against him for closing business because 'some things are worth going to jail for'. The complainant also stated that Adams is in breach of items 5(1) and 9 of the Code. Also, if the complainant's conduct falls foul of the provisions of the Prevention and Combating of Hate Crime and Hate Speech Act, the member could be in breach of his oath of office. He also indicated that he was willing to ignore a High Court order in pursuit of what he termed justice. Adams did not dispute the content of the video or that he was the individual who made the remarks. The committee reviewed footage that was taken from his Facebook page before it was removed and confirmed that the statements were made as described. In his written response submitted on March 13, 2025, he offered an apology for the outburst and cited personal circumstances as a contributing factor. He said he had been under considerable stress linked to threats to his children's safety and family-related trauma. He argued that the post was a reaction to a Facebook post made by a DA member, which, in his view, had placed his children in danger by suggesting gang affiliations. The committee acknowledged Adams' account of personal stress, but maintained that it did not excuse the severity or public nature of the language used. It expressed concern about the particularly vulgar, sexist, and racist nature of the remarks, especially those directed at a woman, and stated that "the member brought Parliament into disrepute". The committee found that the Member had breached items 9(1) and 9(2) of the Code of Ethical Conduct, as outlined under item 16(1)(c). These provisions prohibit members from using racist, sexist, or derogatory language on social media and from bringing Parliament into disrepute through such conduct. It further noted that members are expected to uphold the integrity of Parliament and act in a manner that promotes public confidence in the institution. Although the member was informed of the breach and invited to submit written representations regarding a possible penalty, no such representation was received. The committee has recommended that Adams be formally reprimanded in the House. He should issue an apology in the National Assembly, to the public, and to the woman referred to in the Facebook video for the use of racist, sexist, and vulgar language. It further recommended that he be suspended from participating in debates and committees for 15 sitting days. His salary and allowances should be reduced by an amount equal to the same period. The member is also expected to attend a consultation with the Speaker of the National Assembly, the Co-Chairpersons of the Committee, and the Acting Registrar to discuss the ethical conduct required of MPs.
The Citizen
27-06-2025
- Business
- The Citizen
Eight MPs fined R10,000 for failing to disclose financial interests
Didiza clarified that while the members had missed the deadline, they remained obligated to submit their declarations. Eight members of parliament have been reprimanded and fined R10 000 each after failing to meet the deadline for disclosing their financial interests in 2024, with parliament's speaker warning that their actions had the potential to undermine public trust. The National Assembly adopted the joint committee on ethics and members' interests report during its plenary sitting, finding the legislators in breach of the Code of Ethical Conduct and Disclosure of Members' Interests for missing the 14 October 2024 deadline. Members found in breach The eight members sanctioned include Mluleki Dlelanga (ANC), Mkhuleko Hlengwa (IFP), Nhlamulo Ndhlela (MK), Mzoleli Mrara (ANC), Masetsego Mofokeng (ANC), Maropene Ramokgopa (ANC), Sihle Zikalala (ANC) and Andries Nel (ANC). Speaking during the reprimand, parliament sleaker Thoko Didiza emphasised the seriousness of the breach. 'Honourable members, I just want to say this is unacceptable. It's also objectionable and deserving of serious consequences as it has already been determined by the committee in terms of the fine that you have been given,' Didiza said. ALSO READ: Ramaphosa announces 'Eminent Persons Group' to guide national dialogue – These are the people appointed Disclosure requirements and deadlines During 2024, which was an election year, members were required to disclose their registrable interests within 60 working days after the opening of parliament. The disclosure system operates on an annual cycle, with the main period running from 1 April to 30 June each year during the first quarter of the financial year. Didiza clarified that while the members had missed the deadline, they remained obligated to submit their declarations. 'I just want to advise members that if a member has missed the date you are still equally obliged to tender your interest. So it doesn't mean that these members have not declared for 2024, but they were late in terms of the deadline,' she said. ALSO READ: Floyd Shivambu not on list of MK party members going to parliament Importance of financial disclosure The Code of Ethical Conduct serves as a crucial mechanism for maintaining public trust and ensuring parliamentary accountability. Mandatory disclosure of members' financial and other interests forms a cornerstone of ethical governance, helping to prevent conflicts of interest and safeguarding parliament's integrity against undue influence or personal enrichment. The disclosure requirements are comprehensive, covering employment details, assets, gifts, interests held by immediate family members and travel arrangements. Even members with no interests to declare must submit a 'nil' return and all submissions must be made electronically. Didiza stressed the fundamental importance of these obligations during her address. 'Would all appreciate that the Court of Ethical Conduct and Disclosure of Members' Interest provides a set of values for members. Among other requirements, the Court obligates members to annually declare their financial interest in a public register. 'This allows the public to confirm that no member may have been exposed to any conflict of interest,' she said. ALSO READ: 'We are not xenophobic': No justification to favour foreign academics over South Africans, says ANC MP Committee process and penalties The joint committee on ethics and members' interests found that the affected members had been given adequate opportunity to present their records and explain their failures but had not done so satisfactorily. The committee determined that their actions warranted both public reprimand and financial penalties. 'It is apparent from the committee report that you were provided fair opportunity to present your records and not having done so, to adequately explain your failings. Your actions had the potential to erode public interest in parliament,' Didiza told the members during the formal reprimand. Administrative framework The Registrar of Members' Interests plays a central role in administering the disclosure process, maintaining the register, overseeing timely submissions, and handling complaints and preliminary investigations into code breaches. The 2024 Public Register has been published on Parliament's website. When members fail to disclose their interests or submit false information, matters are referred to the joint committee on ethics and members' interests. Depending on the severity of breaches, penalties can range from reprimands and fines to suspension or other corrective actions. ALSO READ: 'A lying minister in Cabinet': Why has Ramaphosa not fired Nkabane? Implementation of penalties The speaker confirmed that the financial penalties would be implemented immediately. 'I also notice as indicated above that financial penalties have been imposed. These penalties will be implemented without delay. I trust therefore that this reprimand sends a message to all of us as members to live up to our obligations and ensure that we comply with the code,' Didiza said. The disclosure system continues to operate with quarterly updates required whenever there are changes to members' registrable or financial interests throughout the year. READ NEXT: DA threatens to exit GNU over Whitfield's firing
