Undeclared Diamond Gift Lands Mashatile in Hot Water

SourceImage: The Presidency

Parliament’s Ethics Committee has taken decisive action against Deputy President Paul Mashatile, recommending a R10,000 fine for failing to declare a diamond gifted to his wife by controversial businessman Louis Liebenberg.

This comes after a formal complaint was submitted to the Office of the Registrar on March 5, 2025, alleging Mashatile violated Parliament’s Code of Ethical Conduct. The code explicitly mandates that Members of Parliament must disclose all gifts received by their immediate family in the confidential section of their financial interests register.

Investigations revealed that the Deputy President omitted the diamond gift from his declarations. While Mashatile defended his actions by claiming he was waiting for the gem to be appraised before determining whether it met the threshold for declaration, the committee found this explanation insufficient. He further stated that the diamond has since been handed over to the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA).

Despite these efforts to rectify the oversight, the committee concluded that the failure to declare the gift constituted a breach of both item 13(3)(f) and item 16(1)(a)(ii) of the Code. According to the committee, ethical conduct requires that such gifts be declared promptly, with their value to be confirmed later if necessary.

“The committee remained firm in its commitment to uphold accountability among Members of Parliament,” Parliament said in a statement. “Transparency in the disclosure process is essential for maintaining public trust and institutional integrity.”

As a result, the Ethics Committee will formally recommend that the National Assembly reprimand Mashatile in the House and impose the R10,000 penalty classified as the standard sanction for a first-time offence under the ethics code.

The full report, detailing the findings and disciplinary recommendations, is expected to be tabled and made publicly available in Parliament’s Announcements, Tablings and Committee Reports.

This development adds further scrutiny to the Deputy President’s public image and raises fresh concerns over ethical standards in South Africa’s political leadership.