DA Welcomes Ethics Committee Sanction Against Deputy President Mashatile Over Undisclosed Diamond Gift
Viable News Team 
Image Credit: GovernmentZA
Image Source: GovernmentZA
The Democratic Alliance (DA) has welcomed the guilty finding of the Parliamentary Joint Ethics Committee against Deputy President Paul Mashatile for failing to declare a valuable diamond gifted to his wife by controversial businessman Louis Liebenberg. The finding follows a formal complaint lodged by DA Chief Whip George Michalakis MP on March 5, 2025.
The committee has recommended that the Deputy President be reprimanded and issued a R10,000 fine as a first-time offender. While Mashatile has reportedly handed over the diamond to the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA), the DA maintains that several critical questions remain unanswered, including the source, value, and legality of the gift.
A Gift That Sparked National Scrutiny
The controversy stems from a diamond reportedly gifted to Mashatile’s wife by Louis Liebenberg, a self-proclaimed diamond dealer who has been the subject of multiple fraud investigations. The DA argues that such a gift from a figure with a questionable track record should have raised immediate ethical red flags and been declared in accordance with Parliamentary ethics rules.
“The nature of the Mashatile-Liebenberg relationship is still unclear,” said Michalakis, pointing out that the ethics report, while welcomed, raises “more questions than answers.”
DA to Pursue Further Questions in Parliament
In the wake of the ruling, the DA has committed to submitting a series of Parliamentary questions to both the Deputy President and the Department of Justice, seeking to uncover:
- What other gifts have been received by the Deputy President or his spouse from Liebenberg?
- Whether any reciprocal favours or benefits were granted in exchange?
- The official valuation of the diamond and whether it has been certified legally?
- The circumstances and legality of Liebenberg’s visit to Mashatile’s residence in November 2023?
The party further warned that this may not be an isolated incident. Earlier this week, it was revealed that Mashatile had failed to declare a R28.9 million mansion in Constantia, Cape Town, for over two years despite growing public scrutiny.
The ethics violation comes at a time when Deputy President Mashatile is already under pressure over multiple allegations of misconduct and luxury spending. These include lavish travel expenses funded by taxpayers and allegations of nepotism and patronage involving close family members and associates.
“It is deeply concerning that the Deputy President continues to fail in his obligations to declare assets ethically and transparently,” Michalakis said. “South Africans deserve accountability from their leaders, especially those entrusted with high office and public funds.”
This incident adds fuel to ongoing debates about the ethics and accountability of high-ranking officials in the current administration. It raises urgent questions about the strength of asset declaration frameworks, enforcement mechanisms, and the independence of oversight institutions.
While the R10,000 fine is a symbolic gesture, critics argue that it fails to match the seriousness of the alleged ethical lapses. Calls are growing for a broader investigation into the Deputy President’s financial dealings and the nature of his associations with controversial figures like Liebenberg.
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