Defence Minister Mosiuoa Lekota emerged from yesterday's meeting of parliament's joint ethics committee with what was little more than a feeble slap on the wrist.

The committee attributed Lekota's failure to disclose his business interests in a fuel distribution agency and a wine cellar to negligence.

This is hard to believe: it is extremely difficult to accept that the recent events involving Tony Yengeni and Winnie Madikizela-Mandela did not remind him of his own oversight.

Lekota's non-disclosure of his business interests must, as a matter of urgency, come under more rigorous scrutiny.

After all, Lekota is not an ordinary MP: he is a minister of a key portfolio; in addition, he is national chairman of the ruling ANC.

The DA has already indicated its intention to call on the Public Protector to investigate the matter under the Executive Members' Ethics Act.

To his credit, Lekota co-operated with the ethics committee, and subsequently agreed to "humbly abide by and respect" the findings of the committee. But, regrettably, yesterday's meeting left too many questions unanswered.

It is a pity that the affable and generally respected Lekota is the focus of a call for an investigation. But the same rules must apply to everyone, not only to the expendable or unpopular.

And these rules are clearly outlined in legislation and a comprehensive code of conduct.

Lekota's error of judgment may well yet be explained satisfactorily. But, for now, there is a growing sense of dissatisfaction, if not alarm, about the findings of the ethics committee.

The only way to effectively address the doubts that are still lingering is for the Public Protector to intervene.

We hope Lekota will emerge from this process with his credibility and integrity intact. He is a highly talented man; the country needs his skills.

But not at any cost.

With acknowledgements to The Editor and the Cape Times.