Why did Parliament fine Deputy President Mashatile?
South Africa’s Deputy President Paul Mashatile has found himself at the center of controversy after failing to declare a diamond gifted to his wife. The diamond originated from Louis Liebenberg, a gem dealer currently jailed on charges that include theft and money laundering. On Thursday, the parliamentary ethics committee fined Mashatile 10,000 rands (approximately $550) for the omission, although the exact value of the gem has not been disclosed.
Mashatile addressed the media on Friday, saying he did not know the gem’s origin at the time it was received. “I asked my office, can we please go and check this present?” he said. “In the course of that, we found out that the person who donated, we’re not quite happy with.”
He added, “The present was not for me, and it was for my wife, but I don’t want her to accept something from somebody who may be questionable.” The deputy president claimed the diamond was handed over to authorities once its source was confirmed.
What Is President Ramaphosa’s Stance on the Issue?
President Cyril Ramaphosa, already under pressure to clean up corruption in the ANC, responded by saying Mashatile would have to answer for the situation. “We will need to wait for him to provide answers to all these questions,” he told reporters on Friday.
Ramaphosa has recently taken action against other top ANC officials. Last month, he dismissed his higher education minister for lying to parliament about fraudulent board appointments. He also suspended the police minister over serious corruption allegations made by a senior provincial police commissioner.
In addition to the diamond scandal, Mashatile is under scrutiny for failing to declare a luxury residence in Cape Town, reportedly valued at over one million dollars. When questioned about the property, he responded: “That house is owned by my son-in-law. So, what’s the problem?”
As investigations continue, the situation adds another layer of political tension within South Africa’s ruling party, which continues to face public pressure to restore transparency and accountability in governance.
By Yockshard Enyendi
