Thanks, Deputy Chairperson. The Joint Committee on Ethics and Members' Interests was established in terms of Joint Rules 121-127 of Parliament to implement the Code of Conduct of the Assembly and permanent Council members, as set out in the Schedule of the Joint Rules. The committee is obliged, in terms of Joint Rule 124(2), to report to both Houses on the operation and effectiveness of the Code at least once per annum. The committee therefore reports to this House as follows.
The 2010 Register of Members' Interests has been compiled, adopted and made public in terms of the requirements of the Code of Conduct, and all members have submitted their disclosure forms, which we as a committee appreciate.
The committee considered 31 allegations of nondisclosure, which were identified by the Auditor-General when the annual audit of Parliament was conducted. The committee finalised the report, which was tabled in both the National Assembly and the National Council of Provinces on 17 November 2010, and adopted in this House last week, on 24 March 2011. The committee did not receive complaints in the period under review.
The committee also has the mandate in terms of Joint Rule 124(b) to develop standards of ethical conduct for Assembly and Council members, and also to regularly review the Code and make recommendations for its amendment. The committee, in its review of the existing Code, has found that a review of the Code should be undertaken and is currently considering a draft revised Code.
The ANC, at its 52nd national conference, resolved on ethics and integrity. Amongst others, it said that leaders in particular should continue to actively promote ethical and democratic values and lead by example; leaders in particular should avoid conflicts of interest, or perceived conflicts of interest, and the movement should provide leadership to society as a whole in the fight against corruption. The private sector, in its national and foreign business dealings, should be held to complying with and promoting the highest standards of sound and ethical corporate governance and social responsibility. The public sector should continue to play a leadership role in ensuring ethical conduct and integrity in all aspects of the national integrity system through multisectoral forums, such as the National Anti- Corruption Forum. South Africa should continue to promote its anticorruption values and interests in continental and international structures.
It is in this spirit that the review will be considered in order to give practical expression to the conference resolution. The committee thus requests the House to adopt the report. I thank you.