Ethics Complaint Filed Against Deputy Minister

Statement by Beyers Smit MP – DA Member on Agriculture Portfolio Committee:

The DA will file an ethics complaint against Deputy Minister of Agriculture Rosemary Capa after she admitted in Parliament that she was offered a bribe involving state-linked cattle, but failed to report the alleged corruption to the police.

Even more concerning is the Deputy Minister’s response when asked whether she had opened a criminal case. Her answer was simply: No.

This is unacceptable.

The Deputy Minister’s failure to report this matter to the police undermines the ethical standards expected of persons in public office.

In terms of the Code of Ethical Conduct, members must abide by the principles, rules and obligations of the Code, which includes acting on all occasions in accordance with the public trust placed in them, and upholding the oath or affirmation taken by the Member in terms of the Constitution.

Any attempt to bribe a public representative or member of the Executive cannot be treated casually, ignored, or brushed aside. Public office bearers have a duty to uphold the law, protect public resources, and report corruption immediately when it is brought to their attention.

The fact that such an alleged bribery attempt was not reported to law enforcement raises serious questions about accountability, transparency, and the Deputy Minister’s commitment to fighting corruption.

The DA will be submitting an ethics complaint against the Deputy Minister.

Corruption robs emerging farmers, commercial farmers, and rural communities of fair access to opportunities and resources. It undermines trust in government programmes and weakens the very institutions meant to support agricultural development.

There must be no special protection, no selective accountability, and no silence when corruption is admitted on record.

The DA will continue to insist on clean governance, ethical leadership, and full accountability in the Department of Agriculture, because South Africans deserve a government that works for them, protects public resources, and acts without fear or favour when corruption is exposed.

The DA is in the GNU to ensure that corruption is confronted wherever it appears, and that the standards of government are raised in the interests of all South Africans.