By: Pamella Majola
Parliament’s Joint Committee on Ethics and Members’ Interests has fined Deputy President Paul Mashatile R10,000 for failing to declare a valuable diamond gift received by his wife. The item was reportedly given by controversial businessman Louis Liebenberg, who has been linked to a high-profile diamond investment scam.
The complaint was officially lodged with the committee on 5 March. After deliberations, the committee concluded that the diamond should have been declared in Mashatile’s confidential register of financial interests, as required by parliamentary rules governing transparency and accountability.
Although the gift was not in Mashatile’s direct possession, ethics rules require disclosure of valuable gifts received by spouses or close family members, especially when the giver has business dealings or political interests that may intersect with the state.
Mashatile has publicly denied any wrongdoing. He maintains that all relevant interests were properly disclosed in accordance with parliamentary guidelines and has rejected claims that he is concealing financial holdings or benefitting from undisclosed gifts.
“I have complied fully with the rules of Parliament and declared everything required,” Mashatile said in a brief statement on Thursday.
