Trip to daughter's funeral in Israel, sheep, goats are some of the gifts SA MPs declared

THE South African Friends of Israel paid for ACDP leader Kenneth Meshoe's travel to the funeral of his daughter in Israel while a Washington family settled his flight and accommodation for his daughter’s memorial service in the US.

This emerged from the declarations made by MPs as contained in the Register of Members’ Interests for 2025. The report was adopted and released by the Joint Committee on Ethics and Members’ Interests on Friday after all 400 public representatives complied with the submission of their declarations within the stipulated deadline for the first time.

Meshoe also declared his shares 100 Sanlam shares with a nominal value of R15,000 and being preacher as remuneration outside parliamentary work.

His other colleagues were gifted with cellphones, liquor, sheep, food parcels, books, tickets to watch sport and music shows.

Transport Minister Barbara Creecy and National Assembly Speaker Thoko Didiza are probably the envy of other MPs as they disclosed a long list of gifts during the year under review.

Creecy listed, among her gifts, two King Shaka statues from Airport Company of South Africa, a book titled 'The Pig That Flew' from Evert de Ruiter, and a scarf valued at R1,200 from her French counterpart.

Didiza declared an ostrich leather clutch bag and mohair blanket gifts from Agri-SA.

Also pocketing a long list of gifts was International Relations and Cooperation Minister Ronald Lamola.

He received a self-painting from Ambassador Reynard Al-Akbari of the League of Arab States, a colour-changing mug and African print fabric from Mozambique High Commissioners, 15-year-old single malt whiskey, and a book titled 'Welcome to My Table' by Siba Mtongana from Assupol.

DA leader and Minister of Agriculture John Steenhuisen received 12 bottles of wine from Cape Point Vineyards and 12 assorted bottles of wine from Tim Hutchinson.

The ostrich industry gave him an ostrich RSA flag and various ostrich plumes for display in the ministry offices in Pretoria, among others.   

Steenhuisen, who listed nothing under land ownership and property, disclosed a townhouse in Sea Point under rented property.

EFF leader Julius Malema holds a directorship in Mgagao Shamba farming business, and also received  two sheep from BaPedi Queen, and a bottle of wine and chocolate from the Chinese embassy.

He disclosed nothing under property and land ownership.

Deputy President Paul Mashatile declared a portrait of himself from the National Youth Development Agency, a bottle of wine, and small grey bowl from the Japanese embassy, and a silver elephant statue display from the Indian Minister of External Affairs, among the gifts he obtained.

Patriotic Alliance leader Gayton McKenzie declared the de-registration of about 15 companies where he was director or in partnership.

McKenzie listed owning a property in Kraaifontein and a R37,999 HONOR Magic V2 device from HONOR Device in China, as well as a R6,093 tea cup and saucer from the Russian Cultural Ministry.

Al Jama-ah leader and Social Development Minister, Mogamad Hendricks, has shares in 12 companies with at least 15,000 shares valued at R961,342 with ABSA stockbroker.

He listed directorship in seven companies, including his party.

Hendricks listed four properties - a house, two plots, and an agricultural land – under property and land ownership.

Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana received no gifts during the year under review. He  disclosed that he has three properties in the Eastern Cape and Gauteng.

Police Minister Senzo Mchunu was gifted a Huawei Pura 70 cellphone by the Chinese ambassador, and a goat and blanket from a community of Ulundi in KwaZulu-Natal.

Cape Times