In its inaugural release of the 2022 Register of Members’ Interests, Parliament’s Joint Committee on Ethics disclosed the gifts, directorships, and shareholdings of high-level MPs such as Pravin Gordhan, Julius Malema and DA leader John Steenhuisen.
How SA’s ‘big tech’ showered MPs with gifts
The report is part of Parliament’s efforts to promote transparency and accountability, and to build trust in public representatives, the committee stated in a statement accompanying the report.
The disclosures reveal that MultiChoice, Telkom, MTN, Vodacom, and Cell C are among the companies that gifted MPs with goodies ranging from smartphones to access to exclusive programmes, annual upgrades, and VIP tickets to festivals.
The disclosures provide insight into the relationships between MPs and the companies they are associated with.
While there were fewer disclosures of smartphone-related gifts this year, one ANC MP, former Communications Minister Khumbudzo Ntshavheni, received a Samsung Galaxy S20 Ultra and Galaxy Watch Active from Telkom.
Vodacom granted an ANC MP, Deputy Justice Minister John Jeffery, access to the exclusive Onyx programme, which offers superior benefits to its members.
Cell C provides DA MP Darren Bergman with annual upgrades. Meanwhile, MultiChoice gave VIP tickets to three MPs to the DStv Delicious International Food and Music Festival, valued at R3 100.
Huawei, on the other hand, gave an ANC MP and Deputy Science and Technology Minister a “sports watch” of undisclosed value, and Justice Minister Ronald Lamola received two bottles of whisky and a bottle of wine, the value of which was not disclosed.
The full list of the 2022 Register of Members’ Interests can be viewed and downloaded here.
Take a look at the gifts, shares, property and other goods declared by these nine prominent MPs.
Floyd Shivambu – Economic Freedom Fighters
- Books – Chinese Embassy – Rand value not disclosed
- House – Gauteng – 991m2 – Rand value not disclosed
Glynnis Breytenbach – Democratic Alliance
- Shares – Sanlam – R75 per share (300 owned)
- Book – Conference of Presidents – Rand value not disclosed
- Return flight and accommodation for six days in Washington DC – Conference of Presidents – Rand value not disclosed
- Return flight and accommodation in Israel for 11 days – South Africa Israel Foundation – Rand value not disclosed
Gwede Mantashe – African National Congress
- Portrait of Minister Lana Marles – US Ambassador – R2 000
- Book: The Economy on your Doorstep – Ayabonga Cawe – R220
- Plank chair – Botswana Minister of Minerals – R800
- Russian vodka – Russian Federation Ambassador to SA – R 1022
- Luggage bag – African Energy Chamber – R898
- Japanese Whisky – Japan Embassy – R5 070
- Art drawing – Botswana Minister of Minerals – R2 000
- 300m2 house in Boksburg – Rand value not disclosed
John Steenhuisen – Democratic Alliance
- Le Creuset mugs and saucers – S Ikin – Rand value not disclosed
- Lunch at Fun Restaurant – Taiwan Liaison office – Rand value not disclosed
- Rugby Sevens World Cup tickets – Geordin Hill-Lewis – Rand value not disclosed
- Running Shoes – Under Armour – Rand value not disclosed
- Shoes, shorts, shirt – Veldskoen – Rand value not disclosed
- Shirt, jersey, Oakley sunglasses – Gerber and Co – Rand value not disclosed
- Trips to Somaliland, Kenya, Ukraine – The Brenthurst Foundation – Rand value not disclosed
Julius Malema – Economic Freedom Fighters
- Director: Mgagao Shamba – Farming, Events, Sales
- Tea mugs – Chinese Embassy – Rand value not disclosed
- Grandeur Gin – Mac G- Rand value not disclosed
- Book: The Next Minute – Eric Mutsipayi – Rand value not disclosed
- Statue of Eagle and Raven – Black Lawyers Association – Rand value not disclosed
- Two t-shirts – Godrich Garden – Rand value not disclosed
- Book: Undercover with Mandela’s Spies – Janet Smith – Rand value not disclosed
- Book: Land Reform – Black Lawyers Association – Rand value not disclosed
- Book: Julius Nyerere’s Philosophy of Human Dignity – Godrich Grade – Rand value not disclosed
- Flag, scarf, beanie – Southern Cameroon – Rand value not disclosed
- Ratanang Family Trust – Rand value not disclosed
- Kopano Charity Trust – Rand value not disclosed
- Mazimbu Investment Trust – Rand value not disclosed
- Munzhedzi Family Trust – Rand value not disclosed
Lydia Chikunga – African National Congress
- Quadratic Trading – Director (Dormant)
- Scented candle and chiffon scarf, backpack, fruit box – Qatar Airways – R0.00
- Bunch of flowers – DCA South African Civil Aviation Authority – R450.00
- Takealot voucher – Intelligence Transfer Centre – R1000
- iPhone 13 – Embassy of Qatar – R17 999
- Coffee mug – Ethiopia – R49 est.
- Bunch of flowers – SACAA – R750
- Notebook cover and USB – AFCAC – R185, R150
- iPad Pouch and T-shirt – Ghana – R499, R90
- Mouse, power bank, pens, mini speaker, flask – Italy – R130, R299, 45, R99, R70
- Keyrings – Beijing – R138 est
- Cup and saucer – UAE – R130 est
- Decorative plate – Egypt – R120 est
Natasha Mazzone – Democratic Alliance
- Hairstyling and colouring – Palladium Hair Company – R2 500 per month
- Trip to Ukraine – Liberal International – Rand value not disclosed
Dr Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma – African National Congress
- iPhone 13 Pro Max 512GB – Nokuthula Nyandeni – R32 000
- Book – Glaudine Mtshali – R700
- Pen and notebook – La Luz Foundation – R300
- Parker pen and USB – Ron Kunene – R600
- Parker watch and notepad – UKZN – R2 000
- Ornamental telescope – Centre for Municipal Asset Management – R800
- Steak knife – Gagasi FM – R1 000
- Infusion water bottle, pen, pencil set, Polka Jute tote bag, flask and cup set – University of Limpopo – R1 000
Pravin Gordhan – African National Congress
- Shares – 59 companies – R3.983 million
- Book: Joining the Dots – Johnathan Ball Publisher – Rand value not disclosed
- Chocolates and Rupert Syrah wine – Chinese Ambassador – R650
- Flowers – Portia Derby Transient CEO – R350
- Glass stand – Ralph Layman Chairman of 2020 investment association – R300
- SAA aircraft model – Professor John Lamola SAA Chairperson – R400
- Book: History of Equality – Danie Markovits – R500
- Wine and wine bag – Denise van Huyssteen Nelson Mandela Business Chamber CEO – R1 161.09
- RGS Chess Masters – Johnathan Ball Publisher – R200
- Flat in Durban – R3 million