The "travelgate" scandal and the mess that Deputy President Jacob Zuma now finds himself in could have all been avoided. These scandals find basis in the failure by parliamentary and provincial oversight to institute a rule preventing ministers, MPs, MECs and MPLs from holding public office and having direct outside interests.

Legislation should be enacted giving public representatives clear guidelines on where they should place their money and influence while they hold public office. They should not be influenced or have influence on NGOs.

This needs to be made explicit in the parliamentary rules to prevent any more travelgates in our future.

Brian Goodall, MPL

Leader of the Democratic Alliance in the Gauteng Legislature

With acknowledgements to Brian Goodall and the Business Day.