Mapaballo Borotho
- Parliament has slapped Deputy President Paul Mashatile with a R10 000 fine for failing to declare a diamond gift from jailed businessman Louis Liebenberg.
- Mashatile claimed he was waiting for the diamond’s appraisal before declaring it.
- He has since surrendered the gift to the National Prosecuting Authority.
Deputy President Paul Mashatile has been fined R10 000 by Parliament’s Ethics Committee for failing to declare a diamond gift received from jailed businessman Louis Liebenberg.
Liebenberg, currently behind bars for allegedly running a diamond Ponzi scheme that defrauded investors of more than R4 million in 2019, was linked to the complaint lodged against Mashatile.
The committee confirmed on Thursday, 31 July 2025, that the Office of the Registrar had received a formal complaint regarding a breach of the Code of Ethical Conduct and Members’ Interests.
According to the code, Members of Parliament are required to disclose gifts received by themselves or immediate family members in the confidential section of the register.
Mashatile argued that he had delayed declaring the diamond because he was awaiting its appraisal to determine its value.
However, the committee ruled that ethical conduct requires disclosure upon receipt of the gift, with the value submitted at a later stage if necessary.
The Deputy President has since surrendered the diamond to the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA).
“Mashatile breached item 13(3)(f) as read with item 16(1)(a)(ii) of the code. As a result, the committee will recommend to the National Assembly to impose a reprimand in the House and a fine of R10 000 for a first offence of a breach of the code,” the committee stated.
The Ethics Committee emphasised its commitment to ensuring accountability among Members of Parliament, stressing that full disclosure fosters public trust and enhances Parliament’s credibility.
The committee’s full report will be published in the Announcements, Tablings and Committee Reports.
