(1) It is declared for the avoidance of doubt that Parliament has all such powers and
jurisdiction as may be necessary for inquiring into, judging and pronouncing upon the
commission of any act, matter or thing in this Part declared to be an offence without
derogation from the powers and jurisdiction exercisable by Parliament by virtue of
paragraph (b) of section three with respect to the commission of any act, matter or thing,
whether or not in this Part declared to be an offence, which is or may be adjudged by
Parliament to be a contempt.
(2) Parliament shall have power to award and execute the punishments provided by this
Part for the commission of any act, matter or thing which in this Part is declared to be an
offence.
(3) Subsection (2) shall not be construed as precluding Parliament from awarding and
executing any punishment for the commission of any act, matter or thing referred to in that
subsection which Parliament has power and jurisdiction to award and execute by virtue of
paragraph (b) of section three in addition to or instead of any punishment provided by this
Part for the commission of that act, matter or thing.
(4) Parliament sitting as a court shall have all such rights and privileges of a court of record
as may be necessary for the purpose of summarily inquiring into and punishing the
commission of any act, matter or thing which in this Part is declared to be an offence.
(5) In determining whether to exercise its powers and jurisdiction for the purpose of judging
and pronouncing upon the commission of any act, matter or thing in this Part declared to be
an offence, and awarding and executing the punishments provided by this Part for the
commission of that offence, Parliament shall be guided, but not bound, by the principle that
if, in the given circumstances of the offence, a criminal court might reasonably be expected
to impose a sentence of imprisonment without the option of a fine, or a sentence of
imprisonment in conjunction with a fine, then the Prosecutor-General ought to be
requested to instite a prosecution of the offence in terms of section twenty-two.
17 Member not to vote on matters in which he has a direct pecuniary
interest
(1) Subject to subsection (2), a member who, in or before Parliament or a committee, votes
upon or takes part in the discussion of any matter in which he or she has a direct pecuniary
interest shall be guilty of an offence and liable—
a) where the Prosecutor-General has, in terms of section twenty-two, instituted the
prosecution, to a fine not exceeding level six or to imprisonment for a period not exceeding
one year or to both such fine and such imprisonment; or
b) where Parliament sits as the court by virtue of section three(b), to a fine not exceeding
twice the amount of the maximum fine in level fourteen or, in default of payment of the
fine, to imprisonment for a period not exceeding one year.
(2) Subsection (1) shall not apply to—
(a) any vote or discussion concerning the remuneration or allowances or other
benefits to be received by members in their capacity as members; or
7