Private jets and R50,000 pictures – the gifts given to South Africa’s millionaire ministers and MPs
Parliament’s Joint Committee on Ethics and Members’ Interests has published the register of members’ interests for 2023.
The register is published to ensure transparency and to instil public trust and confidence in parliament, with members required to declare significant holdings in businesses, shares owned, as well as gifts received.
Notably, the register only includes declarations from Members of Parliament, which means President Cyril Ramaphosa is not required to declare his interests (as he is not an MP). The document also precludes the two cabinet ministers that the president can appoint who are not MPs.
For 2023, these two ministers are Trade and Industry Minister Ebrahim Patel and Electricity Minister Kgosientsho Ramokgopa.
The 2023 register marks the first time the finance minister Enoch Godongwana’s interests have been declared, as well as deputy president Paul Mashatile – both of whom were sworn in after the 2022 register was compiled and subsequently published in April 2023.
While many MPs abide by the spirit of the register and declare their gifts and ownership in detail, some are reticent to give the whole picture.
Gifts given range from simple trinkets and tools like pens and notepads – all the way to the use of private jets and, in the case of mineral resources minister Gwede Mantashe, a non-descript “picture” valued at R50,000.
The use of the private jet is listed by deputy minister in the presidency, Pinky Kekana, who declared the use of a “friend’s” private jet among her gifts (which included a host of VIP tickets to Multichoice events).
Kekana is also a beneficiary of no fewer than five separate pensions, and has directorships in nine different groups. No value to any of these was declared, however.
SA’s top politicians
Meanwhile, Mashatile’s declarations, in particular, have come under keen focus following reports that the deputy president was living a life of luxury, far beyond the relatively ‘meagre’ earnings of his position.
Investigations from News24 revealed earlier this year that the deputy president was living in a R37 million mansion in Waterfall City, Midrand, which he said belonged to his son. His various other luxuries were also attributed to friends and family members which he simply had access to.
The 2023 register, however, showed that Mashatile declared at least two properties as his own. This includes a home in Sandton, as well as a massive house in Midrand – ostensibly the mansion in question.
The deputy president also declared policies and investments held by Old Mutual to the value of R34.3 million, as well as a list of gifts – from Russian vodka to a Samsung mobile device – with no listed valued.
For Godongwana, the finance minister also listed various gifts – many of unknown value – as well as three properties. He is also a beneficiary of the Tyalibongo trust (though says he has derived no benefit from this) and holds 100% of ordinary shares in Zabezolo Resources, which in turn owns 7% of the Siyanda Bakgatla Mine.
The share value is unknown, according to the register.
Ordinary Members of Parliament have a set salary of around R1.2 million a year, with salaries increasing with responsibility.
Cabinet ministers and deputy ministers earn between R2.1 million and R2.6 million and also benefit from a host of other perks, including housing, cars and having their utility bills covered.
BusinessTech looked at the declarations of some of the more prominent MPs.
Paul Mashatile – Deputy President
Business
- R34.3 million in shares/policies, through Old Mutual
Property
- 800 sqm house in Sandton, Gauteng
- 1,200 sqm house in Midrand, Gauteng
Gifts
- Gift bag with coffee and nuts from Tanzania
- Noble Russian Vodka, from the Russian ambassador
- Ornaments from Chinese and Indian officials
- Various gifts, including books, bottles of wine and nuts, from the visit from the King and Queen of Belgium
- Samsung Z Fold 5, from the Samsung vice chairman
Julius Malema – EFF Leader
Business
- Director of Mgagao Shambo Pty, involved in farming, events and sales.
- Ratanang Family Trust beneficiary
- Mazimbu Investment Trust beneficiary
- Kopano Charity Trust beneficiary
- Munzhedzi Family Trust beneficiary
Property
- Nothing to disclose
Gifts
- A4 leather pocket file from Karios Communications
- 3 x Muslim Kurtus from Mubarak Mahaboob
- 24 PC cutlery set from Mubarak Mahaboob
- 5 PC braai set from Mubarak Mahaboob
- Flask and cup gift set from Mubarak Mahaboob
- 2 x power banks from Mubarak Mahaboob
John Steenhuisen – DA Leader
Business
- Nothing to disclose
Property
- Nothing to disclose
Gifts
- Durban July tickets from Gold Circle Racing
- Accommodation and ‘rhino darting’ experience from Kilima Private Game Reserve
Enoch Godongwana – Finance Minister
Business
- 100% shareholding of Zabelolo Resources
- Beneficiary of Tyalibongo Trust
Property
- 1,191 sqm free standing home in Sterling, Eastern Cape
- Village home in Cala, Eastern Cape
- 1,950 sqm home in Meyersdal, Gauteng
Gifts
- Huawei tablet, from the Chinese ambassador in South Africa
- Huawei “instrument”, from the CEO of Huawei
- Alex Varga notebook, wireless charging stand and ball pen, from the CEO of Nedbank
- Crystal glass ornament, from the CEO of the DBSA
- 12 Year Macallan Whiskey, from the president of ABSIP
Pravin Gordhan – Public Enterprises Minister
Business
- R5.83 million in shareholdings at various listed companies
Property
- R3 million flat in Durban
Gifts
- Small carry document bag from the ACEF conference
- Chinese green tea and containers from the Chinese ambassador
- Bottle of Vergelegen Cabernet Sauvignon 2009 from the SA investment conference
- 2 x boxes of organic dates from the UAE minister’s visit
- Snack hamper from AMKA products
- NUM branded notebook from NUM JET summit
- Cap, T-shirt and scarf from Global Energy Connection
- Small desk display of a Karpowership SA powership
- Glass frame and picture
- Small cloth painting
- Small wooden stand
Gwede Mantashe – Mineral Resources and Energy Minister
Business
- Nothing to declare
Property
- 300 sqm home in Boksburg
Gifts
- USB, notebook and pens from Samancor
- Book from Ayabonga Cawe
- Book from S Helepi
- Pens, diaries and Nersa bag and calendar from Nersa
- Picture, notebook, cup, power bank and USBs from the CEF
- Snack plate from Boordman Silversmith
- Earphones from SACGRA
- Pens, notebooks and bags from the G20
- Cups and saucers from Japan
- A non-descript “picture” worth R50,000 from the CEF, delivered to the minister’s house
- Penfold wine from Australia
Aaron Motsoaledi – Home Affairs Minister
Business
- Close to a combined R300,000 in shares in Media24, Investec and Old Mutual
- PA Motsoaledi Trust beneficiary
Property
- 1,000 sqm residential dwelling in Sterkpark, Polokwane
- 1,500 sqm residential dwelling in Waterkloof, Pretoria
- 1,500 sqm residential dwelling in Groenkloof, Pretoria
- 8.6 hectares of empty land in Morgenion, Polokwane
Gifts
- Nothing to declare
Bheki Cele – Police Minister
Business
- Nothing to declare
Property
- 1 acre property in Durban
Gifts
- 2 x VIP tickets to the Durban July from Golden Circle
- Cultural Sotho blanket and graded hat from the minister of police in Lesotho
- Box of wine, ornaments, T-shirts and pens from the Annual Police Day 2023
The full register can be seen below – or downloaded here.
Read: Lifestyle audits for South Africa’s millionaire ministers – Ramaphosa has nothing to say
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