Diamond gift from controversial dealer is closed case, says Mashatile

DEPUTY President Paul Mashatile has side-stepped questions about his ties to alleged diamond dealer Louis Liebenberg, who gifted a diamond to his wife.

This latest development follows a recommendation from the Ethics Committee that Mashatile be reprimanded and fined R10,000 for failing to disclose the diamond in the confidential section of the register of financial interests.

After lodging a complaint with the Ethics Committee in March, DA Chief Whip George Michalakis posed questions regarding the nature of Mashatile's relationship with Liebenberg, particularly as attention shifted towards additional gifts that might have been exchanged over the past five years.

Mashatile previously indicated that he was waiting for a professional appraisal of the diamond to determine its value before making the necessary declaration.

He also stated that he had surrendered the diamond to the National Prosecuting Authority, but this was rejected by the committee, insisting that Mashatile should have disclosed the diamond gift and its actual value later.

In light of renewed inquiries, Michalakis sought clarity regarding the extent of any other gifts and whether the valuation of the diamond was done by professionals.

In his written response, Mashatile said the matter has been dealt with and was finalised by the Ethics Committee.

The deputy president also said the committee has already communicated its final decision to his office on the matter.

“Any further inquiries on this matter must be referred to the Acting Registrar of Members’ Interests,” said Mashatile.

His declaration of financial interests has been a subject of scrutiny in Parliament.

In August, he was grilled in the National Council of Provinces (NCOP) during a question-and-answer session regarding his failure to declare the diamond gift.

He had stated that he accepted that the Ethics Committee did not uphold his submission on the matter.

“As a disciplined Member of Parliament, who respects the rule of law and the integrity of this institution, I have decided to comply with the decision, and the funds will be deducted from my salary,” he said.

In May, Mashatile told the NCOP that he would not disclose his financial interests publicly outside what is provided for by Parliament and that an official in his office would ensure that the registrar kept for declarable interests was timely updated every year.

Meanwhile, ActionSA MP Lerato Ngobeni recently asked Mashatile about the costs associated with his travels .

Ngobeni had raised specific queries regarding the overall costs of Mashatile's trips, including airfare, accommodation, and other expenses like visa fees and travel insurance.

Mashatile referred Ngobeni to the Department of International Relations and Cooperation, which coordinates official visits, including accommodation and other logistical arrangements.

He recently expressed his readiness to appear before the newly proposed oversight committee on the Presidency, saying his openness to address any inquiries that the members of Parliament might find pertinent.

“Members of Parliament have the right to ask us about issues that they think are of public interest. I agree that they can ask everything they want to ask, even about homes, but that committee is still finalising its operations,” said Mashatile at the breakfast session with the Press Gallery Association.

Cape Times