Parliament has released the 2025 register listing the financial interests and other benefits of the current Members of Parliament (MPs).
Due to the nature of their jobs, MPs are required to disclose financial interests, such as shares and other financial interests in companies and other corporate entities; remunerated employment or work outside of Parliament; directorships and partnerships; consultancies and retainerships; sponsorships; gifts and hospitality as well as benefits and interest free loans.
In addition, they are required to disclose travel; ownership in land and property; pensions; rented property income generating assets; and trusts.
In fact, there are 13 different categories.
The register is extensive and broken down per political party.
For the curious, it’s interesting to note what gifts in particular they have received and what property MPs own.
By way of an example, let’s take a closer look at Deputy President Paul Mashatile (real name Shipokosa Paulus Mashatile).
Paul Mashatile is one of 183 ANC MPs to feature on the register.
As soon as the register was made public, eagle-eyed South Africans were quick to notice he declared a 4 000 square metre Constantia, Cape Town mansion worth a reported R28.9 million, which is registered under his son-in-law Nceba Nonkwelo’s company as one of three ‘residential’ properties. The Hawks are investigating the source of the funds used for the purchase.
Paul Mashatile register declarations
1. Shares and other financial interests
Nothing to disclose
2. Remunerated employment or work outside of parliament
Nothing to disclose
3. Directorships and partnerships
Nothing to disclose
4. Consultancies and retainerships
Nothing to disclose
5. Sponsorships
Nothing to disclose
6. Gifts and hospitality
| Description | Value | Source |
| Portrait of Deputy President |
Estimate R3 000 | National Youth Development Agency |
| HILIA designed box: silver Omani Daggers. Collection (Wildlife of Russia) made in 2022, Manufacturer: TISSO – The collection consist of three sets dedicated to animals, birds and fish that are mainly found on the territory of the Russian Federation |
Estimate R2 000 | Russia Prime Minister: Mikhail Mishustin, during the Deputy President working visit in Russia |
| PYCCKNE CAMOLIBETBI (sets of two saucers and tea cups). Tea sets: four cups, one small kettle and four saucers |
Estimate R1 500-R2 000 | Russia Prime Minister: Mikhail Mishustin, during the Deputy President working visit in Russia |
| Backpack bag (black and grey in color with written Harambee on the back) Hoodie Jersey Bennie |
Estimate R700 | Harambee Youth Employment Accelerator: CEO – Kasthuri Soni. |
| RT Mirco Phone Thelema The Mint 2021 Cabernet Sauvignon Estate Wine and Lindor double chocolate |
Estimated R1 000 | China council for the promotion of international trade (CCPIT) |
| Japan Bottle of Wine and Small grey bowl |
Estimate R2 000 | Ambassador of Japan and Takeshi Iwaya, Japan’s Minister of Foreign Affairs |
| Hibiki Suntory Whisky Bottle, Edo Glass for Whisky Isuzu light-duty truck (Toy display), N Series, and Decor Pot |
Estimate R2 000 | Working Visit in Japan |
| The Taberer Avontuur Stellenbosch Wine |
Estimate R500 | Ahmed Kathrada legacy fundraising breakfast |
| Black pot for décor | Estimate R1 500 | People’s Republic of China, H.E GAO Yunlong |
| Silver Elephants Statue display |
Estimate R2 000 | The Minister of External Affairs New Delhi, India |
7. Benefits and interest free loans
Nothing to disclose
8. Travel
Nothing to disclose
9. Ownership in land and property
| Description of property | Area where property is located |
Size of the property in square metres |
| Residential family home | Constantia, Western Cape | 4 000 square metres |
| Residential family home | Waterfall, Midrand Gauteng |
9 000 square metres |
| Residential | Kelvin, Johannesburg Gauteng |
3 000 square metres |
10. Pensions
| Source of the pension | Public / Private |
| GEPF | Public |
11. Rented property
Nothing to declare
12. Income generating assets
| Description of income generating asset |
Nature of the income |
| Old Mutual Unit Trust | Interest generated on account |
13. Trusts
Nothing to declare
Transparency
Declaring such interests enhances transparency and strengthens public trust and confidence in parliamentary processes and decision-making.
Last Friday, the Joint Committee on Ethics and Members’ Interests adopted the 2025 Register of Members’ Interests per item 12 of the Code of Ethical Conduct and Disclosure of Members’ Interests for National Assembly and Permanent Council Members.
The 2025 register is the second of the seventh Parliament following the 2024 General Elections.
“As per convention following the adoption, the committee resolved to release the register to enable access to the public section of the register. The new code adopted by the sixth Parliament established the submission of interests using the prescribed electronic form, which is aimed at streamlining declarations and making the process seamless and quick.
“The adoption of the electronic declaration submission form was a strategic decision in line with the move to ensure a paperless Parliament. Also, to ensure seamless submission, the office of the Registrar availed staff to support and assist Members of Parliament with their online submissions,” Parliament said.
Registrable interests
Item 12 (7) of the Code is clear that a Member must disclose his/her registrable interests in the first quarter of the financial year.
“The code promotes a culture of openness and accountability, and the release of the register is a bold step in building public trust and confidence. Furthermore, by ensuring accountability of public representatives, the release ensures credibility of the oversight work over the executive,” Parliament said.
As per item 12 (1) of the Code, the Register consists of both a public and confidential section.
The public section of the register is now available to be perused by the public to ensure accountability.
“The Joint Committee on Ethics and Members’ Interests further communicates that the 2025 disclosure process had a 100% compliance by the due date of all Members of Parliament. No Member of Parliament submitted late. The committee commends this milestone.”
The full public section of the register can be accessed here: https://tinyurl.com/36vyn5bs
A full report will be published in the Parliament’s Announcements, Tabling’s and Committee Reports.
Anything appear ‘strange’ to you among Paul Mashatile’s declarations?
Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1
Subscribe to The South African website’s newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.
