/ 21 August 2013

Ramphele discloses finances, urging Zuma to do the same

Ramphele Discloses Finances, Urging Zuma To Do The Same

"I call upon President Zuma to publish his accounts immediately. What is there to hide?" Agang SA leader Mamphela Ramphele asked reporters in Johannesburg on Wednesday.

"South Africans deserve a president that sets a good example for the rest of the country to follow."

She said Parliament required all members to disclose their private financial interests.

"President Zuma has used a convenient technicality to sidestep this requirement. From his inauguration … the president has dodged the issue for over 1 565 days to date. With each passing day suspicion about his integrity mounts," Ramphele said.

She said she was disclosing her own financial affairs for the country to scrutinise, in line with the need for accountability, and to set an example for Zuma.

Ramphele said her net worth as of June 27 this year was R55 436 063.

She had shares worth R1.38-million with Anglo American, Gold Fields, Sibanye Gold, and the PTI Select Managers Fund.

Ramphele's wealth
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Her primary residence in Camps Bay, Cape Town, was valued at R10-million. A total of R1 146 139 was in retirement annuity and R1 574 064 in a provident fund.

Her family trust held R30-million and her investment trust R10.9-million.

"My income for the tax year ending 28 February 2013, was R346 000 – a sizeable drop from previous years due to my resignation from all board commitments … ahead of my entrance into politics."

Ramphele said her wealth would not distance her from South Africa's poor.

"I am one of many leaders of this country, as with [former] president [Nelson] Mandela, who was not poor," she said.

"Being comfortable or having a measure of wealth is not a barrier to linking with poor people. What is a barrier is the abuse of power and stealing from poor people as this government has done consistently." – Sapa