Executive Members’ Ethics Amendment Bill: Public Comments Invited
Brought to you by SA Legal Academy: The Department of Justice & Constitutional Development has gazetted a notice inviting public representations on the draft Executive Members’ Ethics Amendment Bill. The closing date for submissions is 2 October 2026.
Under the Executive Members’ Ethics Act, No. 82 of 1998, Cabinet members, deputy ministers, and members of provincial executive councils (MECs) are required to adhere to an established code of ethics governing executive conduct and mandating the formal disclosure of all financial interests.
The draft Amendment Bill seeks to formalise and streamline administrative accountability regarding the register of financial interests. Key amendments include:
- Designating the Secretary to the Cabinet as the official administrator of the register of financial interests for national executive members;
- Designating the Secretary to each Provincial Executive Council as the administrator of the register for provincial executive members; and
- Inserting a proposed new section into the principal Act setting out the specific statutory powers, administrative functions, and compliance obligations assigned to each secretary.
What this means for you, your business, or your clients
- For yourself: Administrative and constitutional law practitioners have until 2 October 2026 to review the draft Bill and submit formal commentary on the proposed administrative powers.
- For your business: Governance and legal advisory practices should track the proposed amendments to update executive compliance frameworks and conflict-of-interest audit workflows.
- For your clients: Clients engaging in commercial transactions or public-private arrangements with national or provincial executives should note the increased statutory oversight and verification mandates governing executive financial disclosures.
Originally published at https://legalacademy.co.za/news/read/executive-members-ethics-act-input-sought-on-draft-amendments