Gauteng MPLs declare surprising array of gifts

Published Apr 21, 2016

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Johannesburg - An RDP house, bottles of whisky and wine, a R4 500 cash donation plus 43c worth of shares and a sponsored return trip to Port Elizabeth for a campaign for justice for slain model Reeva Steenkamp.

These were just some of the items disclosed by members of the Gauteng legislature on Wednesday.

Lindiwe Lasindwa, who has been an MPL since last month and is the chairwoman of the portfolio committee on infrastructure development, confirmed that she has been the owner of the RDP house since 1998.

The house is situated in KwaThema, Springs. She also owns another house in the area.

Lasindwa also owns three vehicles, including a Mercedes-Benz 2015 model. “I was just disclosing what I owned. I did not want to hide anything,” she said on Wednesday.

All legislature members, including Premier David Makhura, are required to make disclosures of business interests in the legislature members' register.

Of the 73 MPLs, another MPL and member of the ANC Women's League Jackie Mofokeng, admitted receiving a R4 500 donation on behalf of the league for their campaign for justice for Steenkamp, who was murdered by her Paralympian boyfriend Oscar Pistorius in 2013.

Mofokeng also disclosed receiving a sponsored return trip to Port Elizabeth in November last year to attend the formation of the Reeva Steenkamp Foundation.

Human Settlements MEC Paul Mashatile admitted receiving whisky as a gift. He owns R250 in shares of Telkom as well as a BMW X6 and a VW GTI.

Makhura disclosed receiving golf shoes and two bottles of whisky, Russian vodka and wine, as well as pens as birthday gifts. He owns two houses, in Midrand and in Limpopo, and a 2008 Range Rover Sport Supercharge.

Health MEC Qedani Mahlangu owns a house at an undisclosed location. Last year, she was given Johnnie Walker Platinum whisky worth R949.95 as a Christmas gift, Meerlust Chardonnay and a gift basket worth R700.

As a cyclist, she was also given a R40 000 sponsorship to participate in a Change a Life Cycle Tour. She also disclosed receiving accommodation and flight tickets worth R15 000 to attend the Cape Town Jazz Festival last year.

Education MEC Panyaza Lesufi received soccer jerseys from Kaizer Chiefs and Orlando Pirates as well as from his favourite team, Moroka Swallows. He also owns two BMWs, an X6 and a 3 series, among others.

Community Safety MEC Sizakele Nkosi has an additional income of R5 000 for renting out a cottage at her Sandton private residence. Infrastructure Development MEC Jacob Mamabolo owns a two-bedroom flat in Pretoria and a house in Waterkloof.

Social Development MEC Nandi Mayathula-Khoza owns a R1.6 million house in Mondeor and shares worth R10 000 with Standard Bank.

Sports, Arts and Culture MEC Faith Mazibuko owns shares worth 43 cents, two houses in Soweto, and land at Liefde and Vrede in Joburg, and Dipompong in North West.

Economic Development MEC Lebogang Maile is a director in a family trust and receives rent from several properties he jointly owns with his wife. The couple also have a collection of vehicles, including a Viano Mercedes-Benz.

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