Cape Town - Defence Minister Mosiuoa Lekota on Thursday pledged to "humbly abide by and respect" the findings of parliament's joint ethics committee and the National Assembly's eventual decision on his failure to disclose certain business interests.

Earlier in the day, the committee sanctioned Lekota for failing to comply with the provisions of the parliamentary code of conduct.

After meeting to discuss the issue, committee chairperson Luwellyn Landers said the committee found Lekota was negligent in making incomplete disclosures of his interests.

"The committee, however, found there was no evidence the minister wilfully withheld information with the intention to mislead parliament. The committee is therefore sanctioning his negligence," Landers said.

The committee recommended that speaker Frene Ginwala issue a written reprimand to Lekota, and that he be fined one week's (seven days) salary.

This translates into a fine of R11 485 for Lekota, as a cabinet minister.

Admitted he had been too casual

Landers said that in making the recommendations, the committee wanted to emphasise that MPs, as elected public representatives, had an obligation to be transparent, and should take the provisions of the code seriously.

"The committee noted the promptness with which minister Lekota responded, his own admission of a casualness in regard to disclosure, and his co-operative demeanour. The committee was unanimous in its findings," he said.

Lekota's spokesperson, Sam Mkhwanazi, said the minister regretted the negative publicity the issue had caused to parliament and the African National Congress.

However, he was grateful to the committee for giving him the chance to appear before it to present evidence that sought to clarify and explain the real position.

Lekota would abide by and respect the committee's findings, as well as the National Assembly's decision on the recommendations made, said Mkhwanazi.

ANC chief whip Nathi Nhleko said the party accepted the findings and recommendations.

The ANC had the fullest confidence in the proven ability of structures such as the ethics committee to investigate any cases of non-compliance with the code of conduct without fear or favour.

'I did not disclose'

"The unreserved and open willingness on the part of Minister Lekota to co-operate fully with the ethics committee must be commended.

"We wish to reiterate our belief that our democracy is being strengthened and consolidated on an ongoing basis, and the principles and policies of the ANC on clean, open and transparent governance are being advanced," said Nhleko.

Last week, opposition parties called for Lekota to be brought to book after it emerged that he had interests in a fuel distribution agency and a wine cellar in the Free State.

He reportedly admitted to having failed to declare his interests to Parliament as required by law.

The Mail & Guardian newspaper quoted him as saying: "It was my intention to disclose my interests. It is accurate that in practice I did not disclose."

With acknowledgements to Sapa and News24.