Mrs Botha, the charges on which you have been found guilty by this House are extremely serious.
To engender trust and ensure transparency in the manner in which Members of Parliament perform their functions and to guarantee that they remain accountable as public representatives, Parliament has created, among other Rules, a Code of Conduct that compels members to disclose their financial interests. By your breach of the Code of Conduct, you have gravely undermined these principles of trust and transparency.
The people of South Africa expect the highest levels of integrity and probity from their members of Parliament, but you abused their trust by lying under oath to the committee and showing no remorse for your unworthy conduct. Moreover, your flagrant disregard for the Rules of this House has made a mockery of the faith your colleagues placed in you when they elected you as the chairperson of the Portfolio Committee on Social Development.
You have brought the House and the integrity of its members into disrepute.
Please be seated, hon member.
Hon members, I have now acted within my authority and issued the reprimand as required. I will now ensure that the fine of 30 days of salary that was agreed to by the House is imposed.
That concludes the House's consideration of the report and the recommendations of the ethics committee and the implementation of the penalties as required by item 20 of the Code of Conduct.