The country’s interest was piqued this week as news filtered through of a Mercedes-Benz gift made to new Transport Minister S’bu Ndebele as a thank you from businessmen who had benefited from a government programme to help emerging contractors in KwaZulu-Natal.
There were loud calls from opposition parties, the media and trade unions for him to return the car, citing possible conflict of interest.
Ndebele on Tuesday returned the gift.
“I have decided to voluntarily return the Mercedes-Benz and two head of cattle that I received at a function in Pietermaritzburg last Saturday,” said Ndebele.
He said Zuma and the African National Congress (ANC) leadership had advised him that he could have kept the car, which is worth more than R1-million, provided it was declared it in the annual register of members’ interests at Cabinet and Parliament level.
The decision to return the gift was praised by the ANC, the Congress of South African Trade Unions and the Democratic Alliance.
Following this, it was reported that Cabinet ministers want clearer guidelines on the handling of such gifts. After the first meeting of Zuma’s new Cabinet, government spokesperson Themba Maseko said that ministers had raised the issue. “Maybe we need to look at the ethics handbook to make sure there is proper guidance,” he said.
Former minister Kader Asmal has also called for a review of the ethics rules for MPs.
It is encouraging that so early in the administration of South Africa’s new government, a minister has taken a course of action in an ethically muddied matter that has resounded well with most people. It is also encouraging that noises have been made about revisiting and possibly tightening the ethical guidelines for government ministers.
Is this a sign of things to come?
| FULL SPEED AHEAD |
NOT SO FAST |
S’bu Ndebele
The transport minister this week returned the R1-million Mercedes Benz S500 he had received as a thank you from businessmen who had benefited from a government programme to help emerging contractors in KwaZulu-Natal. Ndebele said he saw no conflict of interest in accepting the gift, but came under intense pressure to return the vehicle — and that is what he ultimately did. |
 South Africa’s banks
South African Reserve Bank governor Tito Mboweni criticised commercial banks this week, saying they are not necessarily passing on the benefits of lower interest rates to consumers. The governor was meeting with the banks to discuss the 3,5% difference between the repo rate and the interest rate that banks charge consumers. |
Most-read stories
May 14 to 20 2009
1. Zuma’s Cabinet Inc.
Twenty-seven members (42%) of President Jacob Zuma’s new executive — including himself — are registered on the database of the companies and intellectual property registration office as having private business interests.
2. How Snuki sank the SABC
The SABC is out of cash and is sitting on a deficit of almost R800-million, the Mail & Guardian has confirmed.
3. Zille’s ‘sex pest’ safety minister
The new Western Cape community safety minister received a R5-million golden handshake from the police in 2003 after four women accused him of victimisation and sexual harassment when he was provincial commissioner of police.
4. Zuma’s top ministers: A thoroughly mixed bag
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5. Boesak, women’s rights group weigh in on Zille row
There is a vast difference between vigorous debate and the “petty viciousness” of the row between Helen Zille and the African National Congress Youth League, according to Congress of the People leader Allan Boesak.
6. Nothing wrong with this picture
Helen Zille and Ferial Haffajee debate the Western Cape premier’s men-only cabinet.
7. Zille ‘running a Bantustan of special order’
Western Cape Premier Helen Zille will fail to run her “Bantustan” effectively because she is preoccupied with other matters, newly appointed Minister of Higher Education Blade Nzimande said on Wednesday.
8. Transport minister accepts ‘thank you’ Merc
The Minister of Transport S’bu Ndebele has accepted a R1,1-million Mercedes Benz S500 from a group of contractors with contracts worth more than R400-million in the department, the Star reported on Sunday.
9. Ministers get 18 months to cut the mustard
President Jacob Zuma’s Cabinet team announced last weekend may not be the same one that ends its term in 2014.
10. Affidavit: Mbeki did try and delay Selebi arrest
Court papers have revealed that ex-president Thabo Mbeki did try to delay the arrest of suspended police National Commissioner Jackie Selebi, reports said on Thursday.