Johannesburg - They may pale into insignificance when compared to the Members of Parliament’s declaration of earnings from outside jobs and directorships of companies. But the City of Joburg councillors’ register of interests reveals the weird and wonderful array of freebies, including theatre tickets, hospitality, wines and imported whiskies received by local politicians.
Councillors’ code of conduct requires that they must declare gifts, financial interests and remuneration received from consultancy work.
The mayor of Joburg Parks Tau registered gifts worth nearly R10 000 – some from businessman Vivian Reddy and others from countries such as Iran.
Among Tau’s freebies was R2 000 worth Viel Armnac Dupeyron vintage wine from the mayor of Paris, a R999 worth bottle of Johnnie Walker from anonymous and a wine and two glasses worth R500 from Reddy.
His other gifts included an Orlando Pirates replica jersey, David Batiste and Gladiators CD, Grove swing and harmony CD, business card holder and DVD from mayor of Vilnius.
The mayor registered a Landrover Discovery V8 as his sole vehicle.
Some of the city’s 260 councillors, however, did not register any gifts at all but they revealed business interests, including directorships in mining companies, annual earnings well over R2 million, ownership of luxury cars and properties.
The leader of the pack in terms of money earned was the DA’s councillor Michael Sun who disclosed total earnings of R1.8 million a year.
Sun also revealed he owned a house in Dainfern Ridge and is the owner of Sun Attorneys. His cars included a Lexus LS 460 and a BMW 750 iL MMC for Finance Geoff Makhubu revealed he owned at least four vehicles among them BMW 330, Range Rover Super Charge and a BMW X5. He also disclosed directorships of three companies in financial services and IT.
Fellow ANC councillor Bafana Sithole declared he owned two BMWs X5 and a 5 series and a Mini Cooper.
He also revealed he held a 25 percent share in a mining company and others in BHP Billiton, African Bank, Telkom SA, Aspen and Multichoice but registered no annual remuneration.
DA councillor Bruce Herbert revealed he held directorships in two farms and earned nearly R800 000 a year from stock broking.
Another DA councillor, Carlos da Rocha, declared two motorcycles including a Yamaha Road Harley Davidson, a Mitsubishi Pajero, BMW R80, Volvo XC and Isuzu Bakkie.
But surprisingly other councillors had nothing to declare, including ANC’s Sicelo Gcabashe and Sello Lemao. They had no gifts, no houses, to cars and not even a municipal account registered in their name.
The DA’s Tim Truluck also had nothing do declare, according to the register published in the city’s website.
Another ANC councillor, Java Gwebu disclosed being a recipient of a social grant worth R700 monthly for foster care.
Others like the ANC’s Francina Mashao registered a single Toyota Yaris T3 as the only movable property under her name.
The Joburg council’s integrity commissioner Advocate Jules Browde SC said register was an important step towards contributing to and maintaining a public perception of good governance of the city.
Saturday Star