Register shows what gifts MPs received
BEING a member of Parliament can put you in the pound seats with shares and directorships, not to mention the various gifts received, as was revealed recently by the Register of Members’ Interests.
Two former finance ministers looked after their finances pretty well, judging from their long list of shareholding and directorship of several companies, while other MPs were spoilt with cellphones, expensive alcohol, and VIP tickets to lavish social events.
Deputy Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Sifiso Buthelezi holds a large number of directorships and shares in several small and large companies that fills two pages in the register. Buthelezi served a stint as deputy minister of finance in former president Jacob Zuma’s cabinet.
He has more than 50 interests, shares and investments in local companies, including local media, water providers, jewellery, travel and logistics businesses.
He also has directorships, shares and partnerships in 50 companies, but nothing to disclose in respect of sponsorship or work outside Parliament.
Buthelezi did declare that the Russian Embassy gifted him with bottle of Russian vodka worth R2 399. He also received a gift hamper worth R500 (unknown source) and a wall picture worth R580 from the China Development Bank.
Buthelezi owns three houses: a 2 000m2 property in Joburg, a 4 000m2 home in Morningside, Durban, and a house in Hilton, Pietermaritzburg, covering 8 000m2.
Buthelezi has a private pension in the Makana Investment Corporation and one with the Military Veterans Pension Fund – a public scheme.
He is also a trustee of two trusts, but no benefits are listed.
Minister of Public Enterprises Pravin Gordhan, who was a former finance minister, has interests in some of the biggest JSE-listed companies.
Gordhan’s portfolio of shares includes some of the country’s major banks, well-known retailers, telecommunications, a media company and transport services.
Some of the big names include MTN, Pick n Pay, Steinhoff, Growthpoint, Naspers, Tiger Brands and pharmaceutical giant Aspen.
Gordhan has two properties: one in Groenkloof, Pretoria, and a flat in Durban.
Current Finance Minister Nhlanhla Nene has, according to the register, nothing to declare. He holds no shares, directorships or sponsorships in any company. He also received no gifts or hospitality.
Meanwhile, cellular companies have been footing the bill for MPs and ministers to attend social events, while others got top-of-the-range smartphones.
Telkom gifted DA leader Mmusi Maimane with a Samsung Galaxy S7 worth R11 000, while his colleague David Maynier also received a phone, but it’s valued at R4 000 less.
EFF MP Leigh-Ann Mathys received a Samsung phone worth R12 000, while Godrich Gardee, EFF secretary and MP, received a Samsung S8 worth R11 000.
Telkom gave Deputy Minister of Public Works Jeremy Cronin a R300 notebook, while UDM leader Bantu Holomisa got accommodation at the SuperSport/Telkom Golf Tournament worth R7 000.
Holomisa also received tickets to the Vodacom July Handicap worth R5 000 from the cellular giant.
ANC MP Comely Maxegwana received tickets to the Cape Town Jazz Festival from Vodacom, as did her colleagues Azwihangwisi Muthambi and Public Works Minister Thulas Nxesi, whose tickets were worth R2 000 and R9 000 respectively.
Transport Minister Blade Nzimande received tickets to the value of R17 000 from Vodacom, while Deputy Minister of Co-operative Governance and Traditional Affairs Obed Bapela received tickets worth R9 000 to the Cape Town Jazz Festival.
Vodacom also sponsored Bapela’s tickets to the Durban July and one night’s accommodation worth R15 000.
EFF leader Julius Malema listed four trusts on his register, but had nothing else to disclose.