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POLITICIANS NOT DECLARING ASSETS SERIOUS CONCERN - CANGO

By SITHEMBILE HLATSHWAYO | 2024-12-12

The Coordination Assembly of Non-Governmental Organisations (CANGO) Executive Director, Thembinkosi Dlamini, has raised concerns regarding the non-declaration of assets by politicians.

Addressing the gathering at Mountain View Hotel where the ministry of justice and constitutional affairs collaborating with the Human Rights Commission commemorated International Human Rights Day, Dlamini expressed disappointment, noting that out of 100 only slightly above 40 politicians had made declarations.

Currently, there are 47 political office bearers who have declared assets since taking up office approximately a year ago.

This includes 28 MPs, 14 senators, and five ministers, according to the office of the Commission on Human Rights.

He said it was now late, considering that the 12th Parliament had been in office for over a year, adding that it would have been acceptable for the legislators to declare their assets within the first few weeks of assuming office.

This, according to Dlamini, would assist in monitoring whether some individuals were accumulating wealth they should not, given the perks of their office.

Human Rights Deputy Commissioner Duduzile Nhlengetfwa stated that the Constitution clearly outlined who should declare.

Nhlengetfwa explained that focus was on the august House because they were essential and needed their support.

The deputy commissioner expressed hope that more individuals would come forward to declare, adding that the rule was straightforward; declarations should be made before assuming office and after two years of leaving the same.

She emphasised that it was the responsibility of the duty bearers to declare, which should be a voluntary exercise. Nhlengetfwa stated that the leadership code of conduct would address such matters, noting; “Consequences are outlined in the Constitution, and people can lose their jobs.”

Human rights defender Sibusiso Nhlabatsi also sought clarification from the Commission regarding what happens to the recommendations after a report is issued.

Nhlabatsi based his question on the Nkoyoyo/SNAT clash with police during the unrest.
Nhlengetfwa said it was a preliminary report, stating that they had begun implementing some recommendations and engaged in training, although not all recommendations were being addressed.

She added that they also required assistance from Parliament, especially because some recommendations necessitated specialised skills, such as ballistics and gave an assurance that the Commission was actively working on the issues at hand.

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