Cellphones, liquor, sheep, food parcels, books, tickets to watch sport and music shows as well as paid air travel and accommodation.

These are some of the declarations made by MPs as contained in the Register of Members’ Interests for 2025.

The report was adopted and released by the Joint Committee on Ethics and Members’ Interests on Friday after all 400 public representatives complied with the submission of their declarations within the stipulated deadline for the first time.

“No Member of Parliament submitted late. The committee commends this milestone,” said co-chairpersons Lusizo Makhubela and Henni Britz.

Transport Minister Barbara Creecy and National Assembly  Speaker Thoko Didiza are probably the envy of other MPs as they disclosed a long list of gifts during the year under review.

Creecy listed, among her gifts, two King Shaka statues from Airport Company of South Africa, a book titled ‘The Pig That Flew’ from Evert de Ruiter, and a scarf valued at R1,200 from her French counterpart.

Didiza declared an ostrich leather clutch bag and mohair blanket gifts from Agri-SA.

Also pocketing along list of gifts was International Relations and Cooperation Minister Ronald Lamola.

He received a self-painting from Ambassador Reynard Al-Akbari of the League of Arab States, a colour-changing mug and African print fabric from Mozambique High Commissioners, 15-year-old single malt whiskey, and a book titled ‘Welcome to My Table’ by Siba Mtongana from Assupol.

DA leader and Minister of Agriculture John Steenhuisen received 12 bottles of wine from Cape Point Vineyards and 12 assorted bottles of wine from Tim Hutchinson.

The ostrich industry gave him an ostrich RSA flag and various ostrich plumes for display in the ministry offices in Pretoria, among others.   

Steenhuisen, who listed nothing under land ownership and property, disclosed a townhouse at Sea Point in Cape Town under rented property.

EFF leader Julius Malema listed directorship in Mgagao Shamba farming business, as well as two sheep from BaPedi Queen, and a bottle of wine and chocolate from the Chinese embassy.

He disclosed nothing under property and land ownership.

Deputy President Paul Mashatile declared a portrait of himself from the National Youth Development Agency, a bottle of wine, and small grey bowl from the Japanese embassy, and a silver elephant statue display from the Indian Minister of External Affairs, among the gifts he obtained.

MK Party John Hlophe made no disclosures under land and property ownership, rented property, and remuneration outside parliamentary work.

While MK Party MP Duduzile Zuma-Sambudla also disclosed nothing under property and land, she stated that she rented a property in Waterfront, Cape Town.

Patriotic Alliance leader Gayton McKenzie declared the de-registration of about 15 companies where he was director or in partnership.

McKenzie listed owning a property in Kraaifontein in Cape Town and a R37,999 HONOR Magic V2 device from HONOR Device in China, as well as a R6,093 tea cup and saucer from the Russian Cultural Ministry.

Al Jama-ah leader and Social Development Minister, Mogamad Hendricks, has shares in 12 companies with at least 15,000 shares valued at R961,342 with ABSA stockbroker.

He listed directorship in seven companies, including his party.

Hendricks listed four properties – a house, two plots, and an agricultural land – under property and land ownership.

ACDP leader Kenneth Meshoe declared among his shares 100 Sanlam shares with a nominal value of R15,000 nominal and being preacher as remuneration outside parliamentary work.

The South African Friends of Israel paid for his travel to the funeral of his daughter in Israel, and a Washington family paid for the flight and accommodation for his daughter’s memorial service in the US.

Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana received no gifts during the year under review.

Godongwana disclosed that he has three properties in the Eastern Cape and Gauteng.

Police Minister Senzo Mchunu declared that he obtained a Huawei Pura 70 cellphone from the Chinese ambassador, and a goat and blanket from a community of Ulundi in KwaZulu-Natal.

National Assembly House Chairperson Cedric Frolick made a declaration of 300 food parcels from the Chinese Consulate in Cape Town, five rugby tickets from SuperSport, and hospitality packages for the Durban July from Sanlam.

Small Business Minister Stella Ndabeni declared that she received R85,000 tickets for the DSTV Delicious and tickets valued at R22,800 to the Chris Brown music show from MultiChoice and soccer game tickets valued at R6,600 from the Premier Soccer League.

mayibongwe.maqhina@inl.co.za

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