Latest news with #EthicsCommittee
IOL News
01-08-2025
- Politics
- IOL News
‘Diamond' gift to wife haunts deputy president Paul Mashatile
Deputy President Paul Mashatile. Image: Siyabulela Duda/ GCIS THE DA is gunning for Deputy President Paul Mashatile to provide answers over his failure to declare a diamond gift from businessman Louis Liebenberg to his wife, resulting in Parliament's Ethics Committee recommending that he be fined R10,000. The committee, through the Office of the Registrar, received a formal complaint against Mashatile on March 5, 2025, for an alleged breach of the Code of Ethical Conduct and Members' Interests. The code requires Members of Parliament to disclose gifts received by their immediate family in the confidential part of the register. Following consideration of the complaint and perusal of the confidential part of the Deputy President's disclosed interests, the committee noted that the gift in question - a diamond from Louis Liebenberg - was not disclosed. The committee said it acknowledged Mashatile's response, which included his claim that he was awaiting the diamond's appraisal to determine its value before making a declaration, and that he has since surrendered the gift to the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA), the committee maintained that ethical behaviour necessitates declaring the gift, with its value to be disclosed at a later stage. Liebenberg and his wife were arrested at a Gauteng restaurant on the night of October 22 last year after a five-year probe over allegations that Liebenberg operated a diamond syndicate that was involved in dealing with and luring unsuspecting investors to invest in unpolished diamonds through social media platforms. As such, he has been accused of fleecing his investors of more than R4 billion since 2019. In a parliamentary statement, the committee found that Mashatile breached two sections of the code. 'As a result, the committee will recommend to the National Assembly to impose a reprimand in the House and a fine of R10,000 for a first offence of a breach of the code. 'The committee remained steadfast in its quest to ensure accountability of all Members of Parliament as demanded by the code. The disclosure process not only facilitates public trust in Parliament but also enhances its credibility,' the statement read. Earlier this week it was reported that Mashatile declared in the register two luxury properties with a combined value of R65 million, despite earning just over R3 million annually. Mashatile listed the properties, one in Constantia, Cape Town, and another in Waterfall, Midrand, Gauteng, in the latest Parliamentary Register of Members' Interests. He had previously said the Constantia estate was owned by his son-in-law's company. DA chief whip George Michalakis said the ethics report raises more questions than answers, and the DA will submit Parliamentary questions in this regard. 'What other gifts has the Deputy President and/or his wife received from Mr Liebenberg? What did the Deputy President gift Mr Liebenberg in return for this goodwill? What is the value of the diamond? In this instance, the Deputy President did indicate that his office was in the process of establishing the value, and we look forward to receiving their findings in this regard. There are also questions around the legality of this diamond, its nature, source and certification.' Liebenberg and his co-accused recently appeared again in the Bronkhorstspruit Magistrate's Court where his case was once again delayed when his lawyer, Jaco du Plessis, indicated that while he is withdrawing at this stage, he may return if the financial arrangement can be sorted out. Cape Times
The South African
31-07-2025
- Politics
- The South African
Paul Mashatile FINED for failing to declare wife's diamond ‘gift'
Parliament's Ethics Committee has imposed a fine on Deputy President Paul Mashatile for failing to declare a diamond gift to his wife. Image: GCIS The Joint Committee on Ethics and Members' Interests has recommended that the National Assembly reprimand Deputy President Paul Mashatile and impose a R10 000 fine for failing to declare a gift received by his wife in the confidential part of his financial and registrable interests register. The committee's decision follows a formal complaint filed on 5 March 2025, accusing Mashatile of breaching the Code of Ethical Conduct and Members' Interests. According to Item 13(3)(f) of the code, Members of Parliament are required to disclose any gifts received by their immediate family in the confidential section of the register. ADVERTISEMENT Failure to Disclose Gift The committee's investigation revealed that Mashatile had not disclosed a diamond he received from businessman Louis Liebenberg, which he later surrendered to the National Prosecuting Authority. Mashatile, 63, had previously explained that he was waiting for an appraisal of the diamond to determine its value before making a declaration. However, the committee maintained that ethical conduct demanded the immediate declaration of the gift, with the value to be disclosed later once it was determined. The failure to declare the gift was deemed a violation of both Item 13(3)(f) and Item 16(1)(a)(ii) of the code. Reprimand and Fine In light of the breach, the committee has recommended that the National Assembly issue a formal reprimand in the House and impose a R10 000 fine on Mashatile for this first offence. The committee emphasised the importance of transparency and accountability in Parliament, underscoring that the disclosure process is critical to maintaining public trust and the credibility of the institution. ADVERTISEMENT The committee reiterated its commitment to ensuring that all Members of Parliament adhere to the ethical standards set out in the code. It stressed that maintaining transparency in the financial and registrable interests register is essential for upholding the integrity of South Africa's legislative body. The full report on the matter will be made available on the Announcements, Tablings, and Committee Reports section of Parliament's official website. WHAT DID PAUL MASHATILE DECLARE? Parliament has released the 2025 register listing the financial interests and other benefits of the current Members of Parliament (MPs). Due to the nature of their jobs, MPs are required to disclose financial interests, such as shares and other financial interests in companies and other corporate entities; remunerated employment or work outside of Parliament; directorships and partnerships; consultancies and retainerships; sponsorships; gifts and hospitality as well as benefits and interest free loans. In addition, they are required to disclose travel; ownership in land and property; pensions; rented property income generating assets; and trusts. In fact, there are 13 different categories. The register is extensive and broken down per political party. By way of an example, let's take a closer look at Deputy President Paul Mashatile (real name Shipokosa Paulus Mashatile). Paul Mashatile is one of 183 ANC MPs to feature on the register. As soon as the register was made public, eagle-eyed South Africans were quick to notice he declared a 4 000 square metre Constantia, Cape Town mansion worth a reported R28.9 million, which is registered under his son-in-law Nceba Nonkwelo's company as one of three 'residential' properties. The Hawks are investigating the source of the funds used for the purchase. Paul Mashatile register declarations 1. Shares and other financial interests Nothing to disclose 2. Remunerated employment or work outside of parliament Nothing to disclose 3. Directorships and partnerships Nothing to disclose 4. Consultancies and retainerships Nothing to disclose Nothing to disclose 6. Gifts and hospitality Description Value Source Portrait of Deputy President Estimate R3 000 National Youth Development Agency HILIA designed box: silver Omani Daggers. Collection (Wildlife of Russia) made in 2022, Manufacturer: TISSO – The collection consist of three sets dedicated to animals, birds and fish that are mainly found on the territory of the Russian Federation Estimate R2 000 Russia Prime Minister: Mikhail Mishustin, during the Deputy President working visit in Russia PYCCKNE CAMOLIBETBI (sets of two saucers and tea cups). Tea sets: four cups, one small kettle and four saucers Estimate R1 500-R2 000 Russia Prime Minister: Mikhail Mishustin, during the Deputy President working visit in Russia Backpack bag (black and grey in color with written Harambee on the back) Hoodie Jersey Bennie Estimate R700 Harambee Youth Employment Accelerator: CEO – Kasthuri Soni. RT Mirco Phone Thelema The Mint 2021 Cabernet Sauvignon Estate Wine and Lindor double chocolate Estimated R1 000 China council for the promotion of international trade (CCPIT) Japan Bottle of Wine and Small grey bowl Estimate R2 000 Ambassador of Japan and Takeshi Iwaya, Japan's Minister of Foreign Affairs Hibiki Suntory Whisky Bottle, Edo Glass for Whisky Isuzu light-duty truck (Toy display), N Series, and Decor Pot Estimate R2 000 Working Visit in Japan The Taberer Avontuur Stellenbosch Wine Estimate R500 Ahmed Kathrada legacy fundraising breakfast Black pot for décor Estimate R1 500 People's Republic of China, H.E GAO Yunlong Silver Elephants Statue display Estimate R2 000 The Minister of External Affairs New Delhi, India 7. Benefits and interest free loans Nothing to disclose 8. Travel Nothing to disclose 9. Ownership in land and property Description of property Area where property is located Size of the property in square metres Residential family home Constantia, Western Cape 4 000 square metres Residential family home Waterfall, Midrand Gauteng 9 000 square metres Residential Kelvin, Johannesburg Gauteng 3 000 square metres 10. Pensions Source of the pension Public / Private GEPF Public 11. Rented property Nothing to declare 12. Income generating assets Description of income generating asset Nature of the income Old Mutual Unit Trust Interest generated on account 13. Trusts Nothing to declare The full public section of the register can be accessed here: Anything appear 'strange' to you among Paul Mashatile's declarations? Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1 Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.
IOL News
31-07-2025
- Politics
- IOL News
Parliament fines Mashatile after failing to declare ‘diamond' gift to his wife
Parliament fines Deputy President Paul Mashatile R10,00 after failing to declare 'diamond' gift to his wife Image: Siyabulela Duda/GCIS Parliament's Ethics Committee has imposed a R10,000 fine on Deputy President Paul Mashatile for failing to declare a diamond gift from businessman Louis Liebenberg to his wife. Mashatile failed to disclose in the confidential part of his financial and registrable interests register. The committee, through the Office of the Registrar, received a formal complaint against Mashatile on March 5, 2025, for an alleged breach of the Code of Ethical Conduct and Members' Interests. Item 13(3)(f) of the code requires Members of Parliament to disclose gifts received by their immediate family in the confidential part of the register. Following consideration of the complaint and perusal of the confidential part of the Deputy President's disclosed interests, the committee noted that the gift in question (a diamond from Louis Liebenberg) was not disclosed. Although the committee acknowledged the Member's response, which included his claim that he was awaiting the diamond's appraisal to determine its value before making a declaration, and that he has since surrendered the gift to the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA), the committee maintained that ethical behaviour necessitates declaring the gift, with its value to be disclosed at a later stage. In a parliamentary statement, the committee found that Mashatile breached item 13(3)(f) as read with item 16(1)(a)(ii) of the code. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ Ad loading 'As a result, the committee will recommend to the National Assembly to impose a reprimand in the House and a fine of R10,000 for a first offence of a breach of the code. 'The committee remained steadfast in its quest to ensure accountability of all Members of Parliament as demanded by the code. 'The disclosure process not only facilitates public trust in Parliament but also enhances its credibility,' the statement read. Parliament said the full committee report will be published on the announcements, tabling and committee report. IOL Politics
The Independent
26-07-2025
- Politics
- The Independent
House Ethics Committee orders AOC to pay nearly $3,000 for Met Gala dress
The House Ethics Committee has directed US Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez to make additional payments concerning her 2021 Met Gala appearance. The committee's investigation revealed she did not fully adhere to Gift Rule regulations, having accepted free admission for her partner and underpaid for certain outfit items. Although Ocasio-Cortez had paid nearly $1,000 for her ′Tax the Rich′ gown and accessories, the panel assessed their fair market value at over $3,700. She has been advised to pay an extra $2,733.28 and contribute $250 to the Met's Costume Institute for her partner's meal. The committee found no evidence of intentional underpayment by Ocasio-Cortez, and her chief of staff confirmed she accepts the ruling and will settle the remaining amounts.
25-07-2025
- Business
House ethics panel tells Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez to pay more for Met Gala attendance
WASHINGTON -- The House Ethics Committee on Friday told Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez to make additional payments for her attendance at the 2021 Met Fashion Gala, where she drew attention for wearing a dress adorned with the message 'tax the rich." The ethics panel, which found the New York Democrat had underpaid for some of the services and clothing for the event, also issued reports Friday on unrelated ethics allegations against Reps. Mike Kelly of Pennsylvania, Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick or Florida and Henry Cuellar of Texas. In a 31-page report on the allegations against Ocasio-Cortez, the Ethics Committee said she had tried to comply with House rules on accepting gifts but failed by 'impermissibly accepting a gift of free admission to the 2021 Met Gala for her partner and by failing to pay full fair market value for some of the items worn to the event.' As a guest of Vogue, Ocasio-Cortez and her partner received tickets to the gala valued at $35,000, as well as customized clothing, hair and makeup styling and a hotel room to prepare for the high-society event. The congresswoman worked with an attorney to comply with House ethics rules and paid for most of the goods and services with personal funds, but the ethics panel found "the payments were significantly delayed and some payments fell short of fair market value.' In a statement, Ocasio-Cortez's chief of staff, Mike Casca, said: 'The Congresswoman appreciates the Committee finding that she made efforts to ensure her compliance with House Rules and sought to act consistently with her ethical requirements as a Member of the House. She accepts the ruling and will remedy the remaining amounts, as she's done at each step in this process.' The House Ethics Committee issued a formal reproval Friday of Rep. Mike Kelly, R-Pa., following a yearslong investigation into an insider-trading allegation over his wife's purchase of stock in a steel company in his Butler-area congressional district. The panel also said Kelly and his wife, Victoria Kelly, should divest of any stock in the company, Cleveland-Cliffs, before the congressman takes any further official actions related to it. While the committee said it 'did not find evidence' that Kelly 'knowingly or intentionally caused his spouse to trade based on insider information,' its report also said it 'did not receive full cooperation from Mrs. Kelly and was therefore unable to determine whether her stock purchase was improper.' However, the report said, 'Representative Kelly's failure to acknowledge the seriousness of the alleged misconduct' and of the investigation itself was a violation of the code of official conduct. The committee did 'not find a clear violation' of conflict of interest. The congressman said in a statement Friday, 'My family and I look forward to putting this distraction behind us." Kelly noted the investigation has 'unnecessarily' lasted for nearly five years, and in the time since the Cleveland Cliffs Butler Works plant faced an uncertain future. 'Throughout this process, I have fought for the 1,400 workers at the plant, I've spoken with these workers, and they appreciate the hard work we have done to fight for those jobs and for Butler,' Kelly said. The investigation was launched after a July 2021 referral regarding allegations the congressman's wife may have purchased stock based on confidential or nonpublic information he had learned during official duties. The Ethics Committee staff reviewed more than 25,000 pages of documents, the report said, and interviewed people including the congressman. It found Kelly had advocated for so-called Section 232 tariffs for the product the plant produced even after Mrs. Kelly held stock in Cleveland-Cliffs. 'He took several actions to specifically benefit Cleveland-Cliffs during the time his wife had a direct financial interest in the company,' it said. The House Ethics Committee announced Friday it had unanimously voted to reauthorize an investigative subcommittee to examine allegations involving Florida Rep. Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick. In May, the Office of Congressional Ethics referred several allegations to the House Ethics committee, including claims Cherfilus-McCormick, a Democrat, accepted campaign contributions tied to official actions and requested community project funding for a for-profit entity. The south Florida congresswoman has previously faced scrutiny over her campaign activities and the use of her congressional office. And earlier this year, a Florida state agency sued a company owned by her family, alleging it overcharged the state by nearly $5.8 million for pandemic-related work and has refused to return the funds. In a statement, Cherfilus-McCormick underscored that the ethics panel had not reached any final decision and that the further review does not mean she made any violations. 'I fully respect the process and remain committed to cooperating with the Committee as it works to bring this inquiry to a close,' she said. The House Ethics Committee also reauthorized its investigation into Rep. Henry Cuellar over whether he engaged in multiple illegal abuses of his office. The committee launched its investigation into the Texas Democrat last year after the Justice Department indicted Cuellar on numerous federal charges, including bribery, conspiracy and money laundering. The committee said in its reauthorization that lawmakers are 'aware of the risks associated with dual investigations' and cautioned that 'the mere fact of an investigation into these allegations does not itself indicate that any violation has occurred.'
