Political leaders must declare all gifts above R2500

IN A SIGNIFICANT move to strengthen financial transparency and ethical governance among South African political leaders, a draft presidential proclamation under the 1998 Executive Members' Ethics Act is paving the way for stricter disclosure requirements.

- MAYIBONGWE MAQHINA

Ministers, their deputies, and MECS will soon be obliged to reveal donations received, particularly those related to leadership contests within their political parties.

The proclamation, which was published in the government gazette by President Cyril Ramaphosa eight months ago, is now under consultation in Parliament.

The public has until Wednesday, to make written submissions to the Joint Committee on Ethics and Members' Interests.

The draft proclamation seeks to align the existing ethical requirements with the stipulations of the Protection of Personal Information Act.

Among the notable changes is an increase in the threshold for gifts requiring disclosure.

Members of the executive must now seek permission from the president or the premier to retain or accept gifts valued at more than R2500. This is an increase from the previous limit of R1000.