Winde, Herron and Windvogel broke members’ conduct rules

The Conduct Committee of the Western Cape Provincial Parliament has found that Alan Winde, Brett Herron and Rachel Windvogel breached the legislature’s code of conduct. The findings are contained in reports that will be debated in the provincial legislature. Each case involves a different incident, but together they raise questions about financial disclosure, political behaviour and respect for privacy in the provincial political system.

Sponsored travel

In the first case, the committee found that Mr Winde failed to disclose a sponsored flight to New York to attend Climate Week in September 2024. The return economy class ticket was worth about R51,000 and was paid for by the Under2Coalition climate initiative. The trip was not listed in the premier’s register of members’ interests when he submitted his financial disclosure in February 2025.

Mr Winde denied that he broke the rules. He said he attended the conference in his official role as premier and as African co chair of the Under2Coalition. He explained that the Western Cape government first paid for the flight and that the organisation later repaid the provincial administration several months afterwards. Despite this explanation, the committee found that the disclosure rules had been broken and recommended that the premier receive a formal reprimand.

Conduct on social media

The committee also ruled against Mr Herron, who is secretary general of the GOOD party. His case relates to comments he made on social media. The committee said these comments breached rules that require members to protect the dignity and integrity of the legislature. It recommended a reprimand, a fine equal to five days of salary and a suspension from parliamentary debates and committee work for seven days.

Mr Herron has criticised the process. He said the complaint against him was anonymous and that he was not given the chance to present his case before the committee reached its decision.

Conduct at health facilities

The third finding concerns ANC MPL Ms Windvogel. The committee found that she breached the code after visiting several Western Cape health facilities and taking photographs and videos without permission. The committee said this behaviour violated rules that protect privacy in public institutions. It recommended a reprimand, a fine equal to 14 days of salary with half of the fine suspended, and a suspension from the legislature for 15 days on full pay.

Legislature to decide

The committee’s reports do not impose the penalties themselves. They must first be debated and approved by the Western Cape Provincial Parliament. The recommended sanctions will only take effect if the legislature adopts the findings.

Taken together, the three cases highlight several ethical issues that legislatures must deal with. These include transparency in financial disclosures, standards of behaviour in political debate and respect for personal privacy in public services. Although the cases are different, they all point to the same principle. Rules for elected officials only matter if they are applied consistently and examined in public.