Member Discipline

As a voluntary professional body, the IoDSA’s disciplinary powers apply only to current and former Members. Individuals who are not, or have never been, Members fall outside the IoDSA’s jurisdiction, and the IoDSA has no authority to take disciplinary action against them.

The IoDSA’s disciplinary process does not replace law enforcement agencies including but not limited to the South African Police Service (SAPS), the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA), or regulatory and oversight bodies including but not limited to the Public Protector and Corruption Watch. Complaints related to criminal conduct, fraud, corruption, or other legal matters should be directed to the appropriate authorities. The IoDSA’s role is limited to enforcing its own Code and ensuring professional accountability among its Members. Similarly, the IoDSA disciplinary function exists to uphold professional standards, not to serve as a dispute resolution mechanism for personal or commercial disputes.

Complaints by Interested Parties must be lodged in good faith and for a proper purpose. Complaints should be made with the intention of upholding the integrity of the directorship profession, rather than pursuing personal disputes or grievances that do not relate to governance or professional misconduct.

The decision to initiate disciplinary action against a Member is at the sole discretion of the IoDSA. Whilst all complaints will be assessed in good faith, the IoDSA is under no obligation to proceed with disciplinary action and is not required to provide explanations to any Interested Party or others (who are not considered a party to the disciplinary action). The IoDSA will follow its internal processes and apply its professional discretion when handling complaints.

The IoDSA does not have the same investigative powers as law enforcement or regulatory authorities. As such, the IoDSA relies heavily on the evidence provided as well as findings from competent external bodies, such as courts, regulators, and investigative agencies, when assessing whether disciplinary action is warranted and as the basis upon which disciplinary findings are made.

The IoDSA’s disciplinary process is primarily concerned with material governance-related issues that may bring the directorship profession into disrepute. Trivial, frivolous, or purely personal disputes that do not have a meaningful bearing on governance, ethics, or professional conduct will not be considered for disciplinary action.