Deputy President Paul Mashatile has denied allegations that he uses his government position to amass wealth and live in luxury.

Speaking at the official opening of the Inkosi Simingaye Shopping Centre on the sideline of KwaXimba near Cato Ridge, west of Durban on Thursday, Mashatile addressed reports about a property in Constantia that had been linked to him in Parliament.

IOL previously reported that Mashatile is facing scrutiny for declaring two luxury properties worth a combined R65 million, despite an annual salary of just over R3 million.

Among these is a Constantia estate in Cape Town valued at R28.9 million, which he previously claimed was owned by his son-in-law’s company.

The other is a Waterfall property in Midrand, reportedly valued at R37 million. Within a year, Mashatile has declared at least two high-value properties, including the Constantia estate he once denied owning.

The declarations have intensified public debate around the wealth of public servants and the transparency of their financial disclosures.

These declarations came as members of Parliament made their latest financial disclosures public through the June 2025 Register of Members’ Interests.

“People must read. That’s the first thing you must learn in life. There’s nothing in Parliament that I said I own a house. I said I live there. That house is owned by my son-in-law. It’s a very simple thing to read. So what’s the problem?”

Mashatile said, urging people to read carefully before making assumptions.

He also denied any misuse of government money, stating, “I don’t use government money.

”There’s no government money in those houses. So what are you looking for? It’s not government money.”

Mashatile emphasised that the house is a private family home and not government property.

”It’s a private home, it’s owned by the family,”

“I work for government. I get paid a salary. That’s all. I’m here to push development in the rural areas. Not to come and talk about my property in Cape Town. It’s a private home. It’s not owned by government,” he said. 

His denial comes amid growing concerns among South Africans about allegations that senior government officials are enriching themselves through their positions. 

Mashatile also faces additional scrutiny after Parliament’s Ethics Committee imposed a R10,000 fine on him for failing to declare a diamond gift from businessman Louis Liebenberg to his wife.

The complaint, submitted on March 5, 2025, alleged that Mashatile violated the Code of Ethical Conduct and Members’ Interests by not disclosing the gift in the confidential section of his financial register. 

According to item 13(3)(f) of the code, Members of Parliament must declare gifts received by immediate family members.

The committee noted that although Mashatile claimed he was waiting for the diamond’s appraisal before declaring it, and that he had since surrendered it to the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA), he still breached the requirement for timely disclosure.

In its findings, the committee recommended a formal reprimand in the National Assembly and the imposition of a R10,000 fine, noting that accountability and transparency are essential to maintaining public trust in Parliament.

Parliament stated that the full report would be published in the official announcements, tablings, and committee reports.

hope.ntanzi@iol.co.za 

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