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In an effort to ensure transparency and to instil public trust and confidence in parliament, each member is required to declare significant holdings in businesses, shares owned, as well as gifts received in the register of members’ interests for 2023.

Parliament’s Joint Committee on Ethics and Members’ Interests just published the register, which conveniently excludes President Cyril Ramaphosa (he doesn’t need to declare because he’s not an MP), along with two cabinet ministers that the president can appoint who are not MPs, which happen to be Trade and Industry Minister Ebrahim Patel and Electricity Minister Kgosientsho Ramokgopa.

However, Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana’s interests have been declared (a first for him), as well as Deputy President Paul Mashatile’s.

BusinessTech notes that some MPs abide by the spirit of the register and declare their gifts and ownership in detail, while others are “reticent to give the whole picture”.

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.

Let’s take a look at what they all have, shall we?

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

Interestingly, the deputy president had previously said that the R37 million mansion in Waterfall City, Midrand, belonged to his son, according to investigations from News24 earlier this year. His various other luxuries were also attributed to friends and family members which he simply had access to. But he’s listed this home as his in the 2023 register now.

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 Nedban
• Crystal glass ornament, from the CEO of the DBSA
• 12 Year Macallan Whiskey, from the president of ABSIP

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 nondescript “picture” worth R50,000 from the CEF, delivered to the minister’s house
• Penfold wine from Australia

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

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

DA Leader John Steenhuisen appears to be squeaky clean, with nothing to declare in business and property and only having received Durban July tickets as well as accommodation and ‘rhino darting’ experience from Kilima Private Game Reserve as gifts. If you say so.

EFF Leader Julius Malema declared being the director of Mgagao Shambo Pty, involved in farming, events and sales under business, along with being the beneficiary for four different trusts. He said he had no property to declare and had received a number of small gifts like braai sets, cutlery sets and powerbanks, etc.

Very interesting, indeed. One can only guess how transparent everyone is actually being.

You can download the full register here.

[source:businesstech]