Sheep, liquor and books among MPs’ gifts

CELLPHONES, liquor, sheep, food parcels, books, tickets to watch sport and music shows as well as paid air travel and accommodation.

- MAYIBONGWE MAGHINA [e-mail]

These are some of the declarations made by MPs, as contained in the Register of Members Interests for 2025.

The report was adopted and released by the Joint Committee on Ethics and Members’ Interests on Friday after all 400 public representatives complied with the submission of their declarations within the stipulated deadline for the first time.

“No Member of Parliament submitted late. The committee commends this milestone,’ said co-chairpersons Lusizo Makhubela and Henni Britz.

Transport Minister Barbara Creecy and National Assembly Speaker Thoko Didiza are probably the envy of other MPs as they disclosed a long list of gifts during the year under review.

Creecy listed, among her gifts, two King Shaka statues from the Airport Company of South Africa, a book titled The Pig That Flew from Evert de Ruiter, and a scarf valued at R1 200 from her French counterpart.

Didiza declared an ostrich leather clutch bag and mohair blanket gifts from Agri-SA.

Also pocketing a long list of gifts was International Relations and Cooperation Minister Ronald Lamola.

He received a self-painting from Ambassador Reynard Al-Akbari of the League of Arab States, a colour-changing mug and African print fabric from Mozambique High Commissioners, 15-year-old single malt whiskey, and a book titled Welcome to My Table by Siba Mtongana from Assupol.