Errant African National Congress MP John Ncinane's membership of the ANC has been conditionally suspended for flouting party discipline.
In November last year, the Border Rugby Union president received a tongue-lashing in the National Assembly from Speaker Frene Ginwala for fraudulently using air tickets issued to his children.
A statement issued by ANC spokesperson Smuts Ngonyama on Friday said the national disciplinary committee had found Ncinane to have "contravened the disciplinary clause of the ANC constitution".
"(It) sentenced (him) to have his membership of the organisation suspended for five years."
However, this sentence was conditionally suspended for ten years subject to certain conditions.
"The first condition is that he is not convicted of any offence by a court of law, or the contravention of the ANC constitution, or any other ANC code - in terms of any ANC-authorised disciplinary proceedings where dishonesty or violence form an element of the matter of which he is convicted, and it is of a serious nature - or the matter is regarded as a serious offence in terms of the ANC Constitution, or any other ANC code.
"The second condition is that he, at all times - as an ANC member, or in his capacity as an ANC public representative in the National Assembly of Parliament, or at any level of government - will comply with and promote the letter and spirit of all ANC mandates and positions, agreed to by an ANC constitutional structure, or a structure mandated by an ANC structure which has the authority to make such a decision."
Ngonyama said Ncinane had pleaded guilty, apologised and expressed remorse for bringing the ANC and parliament into disrepute.
"Since Comrade Ncinane pleaded guilty and chose not to take the matter up for appeal with the NEC, the sentence will come into immediate effect.
"The ANC is convinced that the necessary disciplinary procedures have been followed and appropriate sentence meted out, and this closes the matter," the statement said.
The matter was also referred to the director of public prosecutions last year for possible further action.
Another ANC MP, former Free State Youth League chairperson Khatliso Moeketse, was also reprimanded by Ginwala for similar abuses.
At the time, Moeketse reportedly admitted to a Sunday newspaper that he was selling his air tickets, given to him for free as a parliamentary privilege, to friends and their spouses.
Ngonyama said Moeketse's case was still pending. - Sapa