Lekota under ethics microscope
2003-05-20 11:48
Cape Town - Parliament's ethics committee will meet behind closed doors on Thursday to discuss Defence Minister Mosiuoa Lekota's alleged failure to disclose certain business interests to parliament, said committee chairperson Luwellyn Landers on Tuesday.
The meeting would be closed to the media in terms of the joint rules, he said.
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.
The Mail & Guardian newspaper reported on Friday that Lekota held shares in Prestprops, which trades as BZL Petroleum.
The company distributes Caltex diesel products to farmers and businessmen in Harrismith and Bethlehem.
Lekota was also a director of the Landzicht winery in the province, and a director of the holding company, GWK Corporation.
Intended leaving the company
He reportedly admitted to having failed to declare his interests to parliament as required by law.
The newspaper quoted him as saying: "It was my intention to disclose my interests. It is accurate that in practice I did not disclose."
He told the newspaper he intended pulling out of the company.
The Democratic Alliance and the Freedom Front both called on the ethics committee to investigate the matter without delay.
Lekota's spokesperson Sam Mkhwanazi is on record as having said the Mail & Guardian report contained "certain inaccuracies".
- SAPA