President Cyril Ramaphosa has taken a decisive step by suspending Deputy Minister of Small Business Development, Dipuo Peters, following a series of ethical breaches during her tenure as Minister of Transport. This move comes after Parliament’s Joint Committee on Ethics and Members Interests found Peters guilty of violating the Code of Ethical Conduct, prompting her suspension for one term.
The Presidency confirmed the suspension in a statement released on Friday, highlighting that Peters had been formally notified in writing. Effective from February 28, 2024, the suspension will last until March 28, 2024, during which Peters will not receive any pay.
This decision stems from a string of allegations against Peters, including her purported neglect of duties during her tenure as Minister of Transport. Notably, #UniteBehind leader and activist, Zackie Achmat, filed a complaint against her, citing various infractions such as the failure to appoint a Group CEO for the Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa (PRASA) and the unauthorized use of PRASA buses for ANC events without proper payment.
Parliament’s Joint Committee on Ethics and Members’ Interests conducted an investigation into these allegations and found Peters in breach of the Code of Ethical Conduct. Their findings led to her suspension for one term, with specific emphasis on her failure to appoint a Group CEO despite a commissioned recruitment process by the PRASA Board, resulting in a substantial financial loss.
The Western Cape High Court dismissed Peters’s urgent application to halt her suspension from parliamentary activities, further solidifying the decision made by Parliament’s ethics committee. Despite the legal challenges, Parliament reaffirmed the importance of its autonomy in regulating its affairs without external interference.
In response to the court’s decision, Parliament emphasized the need to uphold the constitutional oversight responsibilities of the legislative body. Granting relief to delay the enforcement of Peters’s suspension would undermine the integrity of Parliament’s decisions and its ability to exercise oversight effectively.
Moving forward, Peters’s suspension serves as a reminder of the accountability expected from public officials and the consequences of breaching ethical standards. As South Africa strives for transparency and good governance, actions such as these reinforce the commitment to upholding integrity within the government.
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