Date: 17/09/2003
Source: SA Parliament
Title: Ginwala: Reprimand to MP


REPRIMAND BY THE SPEAKER OF THE NATIONAL ASSEMBLY, MS FRENE GINWALA, TO MR M B NTULI, MEMBER OF THE NATIONAL ASSEMBLY, 17 September 2003

SEVERE REPRIMAND TO MR M B NTULI, MP

SPEAKER: Hon members, before proceeding with other business, I want to deal with a disciplinary matter concerning the hon Mr Ntuli, a member of this House. I have asked the ANC Whips to try and ensure his presence.

Allegations were brought to my attention that Mr Ntuli had abused both his travel facilities and his Parmed facilities. As is my custom, I called in the member - he was accompanied by a Whip - and informed him of the allegations. I then referred the allegations to the Disciplinary Committee to conduct an investigation and advise me on appropriate action. The hon Mr Doidge was appointed to chair the committee as the Deputy Speaker, who normally chairs the Disciplinary committee, is the chairperson of Parmed.

The Disciplinary Committee has over the past few weeks repeatedly interviewed Mr Ntuli and members of his family and received affidavits. The committee presented its report to me this morning. I thank them for the expeditious and thorough manner in which they have carried out their responsibilities.

I have based my decision in this case on the findings and recommendations of the committee.

The specific charges which the committee investigated were:

Firstly, regarding members' travel facilities, the Member had registered dependants who did not qualify in terms of Parliament's official policy; had allowed adults to travel on child dependants' vouchers; and had allowed non-registered persons to travel on dependants' vouchers. As far as we have been able to establish so far the amount involved exceeds R56 100.

Secondly, Concerning Parmed facilities, the Member was charged with defrauding Parliament and its members by allowing his fianc