Ethics Committee Clears Patriotic Alliance MP Ashley Sauls

What Happened?

The Ethics Committee looked into two complaints against MP Ashley Sauls. The complaints came from:

• Mhangarai Muswaba – former principal of the College of Cape Town
• Alice King – former council chairperson of the same college

Both said Sauls broke the parliamentary code of conduct during meetings in 2025.

Background on the Complaints

Muswaba’s Allegation

Muswaba claimed that during the Portfolio Committee on Higher Education meeting on 15 October 2025, Sauls:

• Suggested he was a foreign national
• Said his appointment as principal was unlawful
• Implied that Muswaba and the college’s CFO (both born in Zimbabwe) were taking jobs that South Africans could fill

Muswaba said he had already clarified his status as a naturalised South African at a September meeting. He felt Sauls’s remarks hurt his dignity, harmed the college’s reputation, and pushed a xenophobic narrative.

King’s Allegation

Alice King said Sauls accused her of claiming R100,000 while suspended and receiving R5,000 for each council meeting she attended. She argued this made it look like she was breaking the rules and wasting public money.

Sauls’ Response

Sauls defended his comments, saying:

• He was doing his job as an MP – asking questions to ensure proper oversight
• His questions were based on information he had at the time
• He acted in good faith, with the public interest in mind
• He believed the complaints were attempts to distract from real issues involving the college’s finances

What the Committee Found

Review of Evidence

The committee watched video footage of the relevant meetings. The footage showed:

• Muswaba confirming he was born in Zimbabwe
• Sauls asking whether the positions held by Muswaba and the CFO were scarce skills that South Africans could fill
• The tone of the discussion was calm and polite

Decision on Muswaba’s Complaint

The committee concluded:

• Sauls’s questions were about the application of a specific law (section 8(2)(a) of the Employment Services Act)
• There was no evidence that Sauls intended to insult Muswaba or spread xenophobia
• The complaint had no basis

Decision on King’s Complaint

The committee also found:

• Sauls’s statement was based on the information he had
• No definitive judgment was made about King’s character or dignity
• The complaint was unfounded

Why This Matters for Teens

Understanding how parliamentary oversight works helps us see:

• How elected officials check that public institutions follow the rules
• Why it’s important to base criticism on facts, not assumptions
• How committees protect both the public’s interest and the rights of individuals

Conclusion

The Ethics Committee cleared Ashley Sauls of any wrongdoing in both complaints. After reviewing the meetings and listening to all sides, they determined that his actions were part of his legitimate duties as an MP and did not violate the code of conduct. This decision shows that oversight must be firm but fair, and that accusations need solid evidence before they stick.