The M&G<\/em> argues that closed-door ethics hearings conflicts with the public’s right to receive information on the conduct of their public representatives.<\/p>\n But the committee’s rules state that hearings into members’ conduct should be held in camera, with a summary of the hearing and its findings released to the public afterwards.<\/p>\n Botha, who chairs the social development portfolio committee, must explain why she did not disclose benefits that she received from a company she awarded R50-million in tenders to when she was head of the Northern Cape social development department between 2006 and 2009.<\/p>\n The M&G<\/em> reported in February that property leasing company Trifecta allocated Botha’s family a 10% stake in the company while she was a provincial official, and also renovated Botha’s Kimberley home for at least R500\u00a0000 after she moved to Parliament.<\/p>\n At the time of the M&G<\/em> report, Botha had not declared these interests to Parliament.<\/p>\n The ethics committee announced in March that, in light of the seriousness of the allegations against Botha, it would investigate.<\/p>\n A new date for Botha’s hearing has not been set.<\/p>\n
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