Coffee mugs, sheep, wine, wine and more wine, as well as packs of green tea, were among the items MPs declared in the register of members’ interests released in Parliament on Wednesday.
ANC MP Ayanda Dlodlo declared 30 directorships and partnerships, one in the process of final deregistration, and three properties – two in Orlando and one in Discovery, Roodepoort.
Economic Freedom Fighters MP Godrich Gardee declared his interests in a 940m2 open stand in White River and about 450m2 of land in Nelspruit.
EFF leader Julius Malema did not declare any interests in land, presumably because it was taken away by the taxman to cover outstanding money owed.
He did, however, declare interests in the Kopano Charity Trust, Mazimbu Investment Trust, Munzhedzi Family Trust and Ratanang Family Trust.
Other than that, his only freebie declared was a R90 bottle of wine from the University of Stellenbosch.
Deputy Minister of Defence and Military Veterans Kebby Maphatsoe listed objects called “Brains anti Stress” in a long list of modest gifts from the ministries of defence of countries such as Pakistan, Russia and Brazil.
Defence Minister Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula declared a liquor donation for her daughter’s wedding from SA Breweries and a discounted marquee for the event from a mysterious “M”. Later, under benefits, she listed M&M Hiring Marquee, a company that lists Parliament as one of its clients.
The SA Law Society gave Justice and Correctional Services Minister Michael Masutha a toiletry bag worth R200 and a power bank worth R600, and the EFF’s Abinaar Matlhoko declared directorship and membership of Masimo Minerals and Projects.
Sport and Recreation Minister Fikile Mbalula registered a stash of branded bags and T-shirts, and even a tin of Scottish tea biscuits, as well as a ” Rainbow Makers Tribute” worth R200 from the Ichikowitz family.
He declared the Fikile Mabula Family Trust, the Fikile Mabula Foundation and the June and Andreq Mlangeni Trust.
The US ambassador to South Africa gave National Assembly speaker Baleka Mbete a book on jazz musician Louis Armstrong to add to the collection of scarves, traditional fabric and tea she received from various ambassadors.
She has about R25-million in equity shares with Rich Cove Investments and another R2-million in Turn Card Trading in her investment portfolio, which includes an investment in Bidvest Ghana.
Deputy Minister of Post and Telecommunications Hlengiwe Mkhize declared a directorship in the Aerosud aeronautical engineering company, as well as an interest in the National Children and Violence Trust, which is a not-for-profit organisation.
Health Minister Aaron Motsoaledi’s investment portfolio includes R10 000 with Media24, substantially lower than the R308 140 Naspers investment Local Government Minister Pravin Gordhan declared.
The former finance minister has a large and diverse portfolio, ranging from R20 436 in British American Tobacco and shares in Absa, Standard Bank and Nedbank.
The FF Plus’s Pieter Mulder declared several bottles of wine and a 5% discount on a Mercedes Benz.
Some EFF members, like Mbuyiseni Ndlozi, said they had nothing to disclose.
Finance Minister Nhlanhla Nene received, among other things, a “healthy snack and fruit snack basket”, two sheep and a bunch of flowers from banking expert Cas Coovadia.
He declared 100 N-shares with a nominal value of R5 000 with Metropolitan.
Police Minister Nathi Nhleko declared a R300 000 sponsorship from Twala Farms, Madevu Farms and Best Cut as support for a wedding.
He was the recipient of a phone from the Huawei Group, an Apple iPad from the Chinese ambassador, a Montblanc Pen worth R30 000 from the Mpisi Group, a bull from King Zwelithini and a Hunica watch worth R4 000 from a Russian minister.
International Relations Minister Maite Nkoana-Mashabane’s gifts from her travels ran over three pages, including scarves, diaries, books, vases and chocolates.
Rural Development and Land Reform Minister Gugile Nkwinti declared three properties: a 1 670m2 residence in Kenton-on-Sea, a smallholding in Grahamstown and a 103ha farm in Grahamstown.
Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa listed directorships and partnerships in 13 companies, including cattle and game farming companies, and Tshivhase Share Dealing, which “buys, holds and sells JSE shares”.
He registered a R90-million loan account in the name of Ntaba Nyoni Estates, shares with a nominal value of R8.6-million in Rail-to-Rail, R3.5-million invested with Connaught in the United Kingdom and a cattle farming loan account of R6.07-million, plus R2.2-million invested in Mondi.
He listed ownership of 31 townhouses in Johannesburg and two flats in Cape Town. He listed five trusts with deferred benefits, which included the Shanduka Foundation Trust.
Democratic Alliance leader Mmusi Maimane declared directorships on Youth for Christ and L&M Consultancy.
He declared three gifts, among them crystal glasses and a tea set. He owns three properties.
Deputy Police Minister Maggie Sotyu declared hospitality to the value of R24 720 for the Cape Town International Jazz Festival from British American Tobacco.
ANC MP Ruth Bhengu went as far as listing R20 000 in cows and R15 000 for lobola for a daughter, as well as a basket with accessories, also for lobola.
President Jacob Zuma does not have to declare his interests in this register, but declares them to the secretary of Cabinet. – News24.com