It is not really news that politicians bend the truth to breaking point as a standard part of their job title. Usually, even though we know they are covering up some slightly illegal deed or bending a version of event in their favour, the politicians themselves deny it tooth and nail.

Pallo Jordan’s recent admission of his lies – without having to be dragged through legal threats – have brought up a few other BIG lies that have been covered up by some of our fearless leaders.

Tony Yengeni
In 2001, Yengeni took out full-page advertisements in several major newspapers to deny he had benefited from a large discount on a car and to proclaim himself a victim of racism and the allegations against him hogwash. He was later sentenced to four years in prison for it, served four months, was arrested for drunken driving while on parole, found not guilty, and another charge of drunken driving is currently pending against him. Yengeni is a serving and influential member of the ANC’s national executive committee.

Dina Pule
Pule, while the communications minister, lied persistently in vehement attacks on the Sunday Times, after the newspaper first reported allegations of corruption and conflicts of interest made against her, the public protector Thuli Madonsela would later find. Her denials were simply false, Madonsela said.

Sicelo Shiceka
Another victim of the public protector, the minister of co-operative governance, Shiceka, lied when denying he had visited a convicted drug-dealer girlfriend in Switzerland, a visit paid for by taxpayers. Shiceka also lied about a stay in a luxury hotel, Madonsela found.

We have saved the best for last, and you will WANT to see the last few. Click here for the Mail&Guardian’s full reveal.