The Joint Committee on Ethics and Members’ Interests has recommended that the National Assembly reprimand Deputy President Paul Mashatile and impose a R10 000 fine for failing to declare a gift received by his wife in the confidential part of his financial and registrable interests register.
The committee’s decision follows a formal complaint filed on 5 March 2025, accusing Mashatile of breaching the Code of Ethical Conduct and Members’ Interests.
According to Item 13(3)(f) of the code, Members of Parliament are required to disclose any gifts received by their immediate family in the confidential section of the register.
Failure to Disclose Gift
The committee’s investigation revealed that Mashatile had not disclosed a diamond he received from businessman Louis Liebenberg, which he later surrendered to the National Prosecuting Authority.
Mashatile, 63, had previously explained that he was waiting for an appraisal of the diamond to determine its value before making a declaration.
However, the committee maintained that ethical conduct demanded the immediate declaration of the gift, with the value to be disclosed later once it was determined.
The failure to declare the gift was deemed a violation of both Item 13(3)(f) and Item 16(1)(a)(ii) of the code.
Reprimand and Fine
In light of the breach, the committee has recommended that the National Assembly issue a formal reprimand in the House and impose a R10 000 fine on Mashatile for this first offence.
The committee emphasised the importance of transparency and accountability in Parliament, underscoring that the disclosure process is critical to maintaining public trust and the credibility of the institution.
The committee reiterated its commitment to ensuring that all Members of Parliament adhere to the ethical standards set out in the code.
It stressed that maintaining transparency in the financial and registrable interests register is essential for upholding the integrity of South Africa’s legislative body.
The full report on the matter will be made available on the Announcements, Tablings, and Committee Reports section of Parliament’s official website.
WHAT DID PAUL MASHATILE DECLARE?
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.
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
The full public section of the register can be accessed here: https://tinyurl.com/36vyn5bs
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
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