Parliament's ethics committee is to meet "soon" to consider the matter of Defence Minister Mosiuoa Lekota's undeclared interests in several businesses.

Chairman of the committee Luwellyn Landers said yesterday the committee would definitely be meeting to examine the matter which surfaced in the press last week. It was just a matter of finding a venue and determining the time, he said.

Asked whether the committee would be launching an investigation into the matter he said Lekota had already admitted "guilt" so it may not be necessary to have an investigation.

The committee may make an "order" at the meeting planned for this week or it may initiate an investigation, Landers said.

He however he did not want to "pre-empt and prejudge" the decision of the committee, Landers added.

Lekota admitted in press reports to having failed to declare his interests to parliament as required by the parliamentary code.

He is quoted as saying: "It was my intention to disclose my interests. It is accurate that in practice I did not disclose."

Cuba Mahaye spokesman for ANC Chief Whip Nathi Nhleko said yesterday when approached for comment on the Lekota matter that it was the ANC's position that the rules and the procedures of parliament had to be adhered to.

MPs have to declare gifts worth more than R350 and any directorships or shares they hold in companies in terms of the ethics code.

This is recorded in the register of members' interests which is a public document.

Lekota has admitted to failing to disclose 33% shares in Prestprops 1169 and a 5% share in Prestprops 1209 which trades as BZL Petroleum - acquired in 2001. He was appointed defence minister in 1999.

Lekota also did not disclose his directorship of BZL, directorship of Landzicht wine cellar from 2001 and directorship of GWK last year, a holding company of Landzicht.

Lekota became a director of the Landzicht winery in the Free State after 1996 when he left the province's premiership.

In both the wine and petroleum fields the companies involved have either done business with the government or have solicited state or parastatal contracts.

With acknowledgements to Andre Koopman and the Cape Times.