ANC MP Winnie Madikizela-Mandela is expected to appear before Parliament’s ethics committee on Wednesday to answer claims that she received donations of R50 000 a month and failed to disclose these in the register of members’ interests.
She was due to have been quizzed by her peers last month, but was granted a postponement until Wednesday.
Committee members said on Tuesday night they believed the meeting would go ahead and that the ANC Women League president would be present.
Madikizela-Mandela, who is involved in organising the funeral of the late ANC MP Peter Mokaba, was not immediately available for comment.
It is understood that Madikizela-Mandela wants to be represented by an outside lawyer, although the committee’s rules only allow representation by an MP of her choice.
She is to be questioned by a seven-member panel including committee chairman Luwellyn Landers (ANC), his deputy Lawrence Mushwana (ANC), Motlalepula Chabaku (ANC), Errol Moorcroft (DA), Piet Matthee (NNP), Sybil Seaton (IFP) and Cassie Aucamp (AEB).
The hearing will be held behind closed doors.
The committee decided in May to call Madikizela-Mandela for questioning on whether she had received undeclared donations.
It wanted clarity after hearing that an earlier explanation she gave, denying receiving any donations, had flatly contradicted a sworn statement she had made to court during her bail application after her arrest on fraud and theft charges.
She is also expected to be questioned about her claim that she had no financial interest in the Mandela Family Museum.
An internet search of the South African Companies Regulatory Office by Parliament’s Registrar of Members’ Interests, Fazela Mohamed, found that the Winnie Mandela Family Museum was registered on July 3, 2001.
Madikizela-Mandela disclosed her financial interests on September 19, but apparently did not refer to the museum.
She will also be asked to explain the omission.
The proceedings remain confidential until the committee tables its report to Parliament, within seven days of the hearing.
Madikizela-Mandela goes on trial in June on fraud and theft charges involving nearly R1-million. – Sapa