MPs’ list of interests ready for committee

Family photo of Members of Parliament outside the National Assembly, Cape Town. 21/05/2014, Elmond jiyane. GCIS

Family photo of Members of Parliament outside the National Assembly, Cape Town. 21/05/2014, Elmond jiyane. GCIS

Published Sep 16, 2014

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Cape Town - It has been a month since the deadline lapsed for MPs to declare their financial interests, and on Wednesday Parliament will release details of lavish gifts, sponsorships, travel and properties received and owned by the 400.

The register of members’ interests will be tabled for adoption at Wednesday’s meeting of the joint committee on ethics and members’ interests, which extended the deadline for disclosure from July 17 to August 15.

The committee said the joint rules stipulated that MPs make their disclosures 30 days after the opening of Parliament, but it extended the deadline to give MPs, especially those newly elected, time to make accurate disclosures.

It took into account that the opening of Parliament was on June 17, which meant MPs would have had to complete their submissions by July 17.

Fazela Mahomed, the registrar of members’ interests, said on Monday she could not comment on the contents of the latest register.

“I must first inform the committee,” said Mahomed.

Last year’s register showed Deputy Minister of Communications Stella Ndabeni-Abrahams received tickets valued at R6 000 to the SA Music Awards and hotel accommodation valued at R15 000, sponsored by cellphone company MTN.

One MP declared that he owned no fewer than 16 properties around the country.

The ANC’s Thandi Sunduza, former chairwoman of the arts and culture committee, said she had received five pairs of Socrati shoes worth R15 000, a Louis Vuitton bag worth R7 000 and a R5 000 Burberry bag.

Trade and Industry Minister Rob Davies listed two nights’ accommodation paid for by the Gupta family.

Then-DA parliamentary leader Lindiwe Mazibuko said her hair and nails had been done for free.

Committee spokesman Temba Gubula said on Monday he was not yet in a position to say whether there were any outstanding declarations.

“There will be a meeting on Wednesday to deal with outstanding declarations.”

Political Bureau

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