### Evaluation of parliamentary ethics in South Africa: implications for citizen trust
Recently, the decision of the joint committee of ethics and interests of members of the South African Parliament to reprimand nine deputies, including the Minister in the Presidency Maropene Ramokgopa, aroused a keen debate on the rigor of ethical standards within the political institutions of the country. With fines ranging from 10,000 to 12,500 rands imposed on these members for non-compliance with the obligation to declare their financial interests, this case raises important questions on the strengthening of accountability and public confidence towards elected representatives. At a time when skepticism towards elected officials is crawling, an analysis more deeply focused on the social and political context is essential.
#### A context of growing mistrust
The results of the last barometer of confidence in South Africa reveal that the confidence of citizens towards politicians has reached alarming levels. In 2023, only 27 % of South Africans declared to trust their representatives, a significant fall compared to the 40 % recorded five years ago. In a country where revelations of corruption or poor management of public resources have become almost common currency, the shortcomings of deputies to their ethical obligations only exacerbate a climate of distrust.
The cases of non-compliance with the rules for disclosing interest, as observed in the case of Ramokgopa and his colleagues, are not isolated incidents. They are a broader scheme where elected officials, even at high levels of responsibility, do not hesitate to bypass standards. The question that arises here is not only that of the sanction, but also that of the establishment of a culture of responsibility.
#### Culture of impunity or simple negligence?
Analogy with other political systems around the world could shed interesting insights. For example, debates concerning government ethics in the United States, especially around the 2020 elections scandal, have led to a questioning of transparency practices within institutions. Meanwhile, countries like New Zealand have succeeded in establishing procedures for assessing conflicts of more strict interests, thus making it possible to promote a culture of transparency.
In this South African context, one could question ourselves: do the noted shortcomings are a culture of impunity or simply systemic negligence? If we examine the testimonies of certain deputies, it is obvious that many invoke attenuating circumstances – a factor which could indicate a lack of training or awareness in relation to the requirements of the law. The commission for public integrity could play a decisive role in the education of parliamentarians on the crucial importance of transparency.
#### Implications and search for solutions
In the short term, voters’ reaction to these incidents could severely influence the results of the next elections. Statistics reveal that up to 55 % of potential voters declare that they would be less inclined to vote for a candidate who has been involved in ethics scandals, making the implications of deviant behavior even more significant.
In the long term, the strengthening of institutions and ethics processes seems to be a necessity. This could go through an overhaul of interest declaration practices, including compulsory training for new deputies. Systematic measures to verify the compliance and audit of declarations could also constitute crucial preventive stages.
### conclusion: a renewal opportunity
The current situation, although worrying, offers a renewal opportunity for the South African parliament. By establishing more rigorous ethical standards and promoting a culture of transparency, it is possible to regain the confidence of citizens. Ethics in politics is not only a question of regulation, it is a collective project where each citizen is an actor, capable of imposing changes. The repercussions of the sanctions inflicted on faulty deputies must become a strong signal: accountability should never be perceived as a burden, but as a commitment to the nation and its citizens.