Today is D-Day for Mashatile
DEPUTY President Paul Mashatile’s tenure has been marked by allegations of wrongdoing, and Parliament has demanded answers.
In a time-sensitive development, Mashatile has been granted until today by Parliament to address corruption allegations lodged against him.
The allegations, together with his alleged associations with those entangled in corruption scandals, have brought Mashatile into the spotlight.
The Ethics Committee of Parliament issued the deadline last week, setting a strict timeline for Mashatile to provide a comprehensive response.
“The allegations, which have sparked widespread concern and a public outcry, demand urgent attention from Minister Mashatile.
“Failure to meet this deadline could result in further escalation of the matter, potentially leading to disciplinary action or legal consequences.”
The nation eagerly anticipates Mashatile’s response, with heightened scrutiny on Parliament’s commitment to combating corruption and upholding ethical standards in governance.
On February 12, DA leader John Steenhuisen laid corruption complaints at the Cape Town Central police station against Mashatile concerning several transactions over several years dating back to his time as a Gauteng MEC.
The DA also submitted a formal complaint to Parliament’s Joint Committee on Ethics and Members’ Interests for an alleged breach of the members’ Code of Conduct by Mashatile, for failure to disclose registrable interests, or for wilfully or grossly negligently, providing the Registrar with incorrect or misleading details.
“Mashatile also faces allegations of having misled Parliament for failing to properly declare his use of various properties, including a R37 million Waterfall house in Gauteng.
“In addition, Mashatile also breached the Code of Conduct by failing to act in all respects in a manner that is consistent with the integrity of their office or the government,” Steenhuisen said.
On March 28, Mashatile told the National Assembly that Parliament’s Ethics Committee had asked him to respond within a week.
However, he said that he was not concerned about the corruption allegations against him.
Political analyst, Professor Dirk Kotze, said the ANC was trying to show the public at large that they were taking allegations of corruption, fraud, and unethical behaviour seriously by conducting an investigation into him. This was likely connected to former speaker’s situation.
“Mashatile is not sort of at the centre of the ANC, despite the fact that he is the deputy president. He was not on the Ramaphosa side when he was elected deputy president; he was elected because the two pro-Ramaphosa candidates, including Ronald Lamola, actually split their vote.”