Diamond gift from controversial dealer is closed case, says Mashatile

DEPUTY President Paul Mashatile has sidestepped questions about his ties to alleged diamond dealer Louis Liebenberg, who gifted a diamond to his wife.

- MAYIBONGWE MAQHINA

This latest development follows a recommendation from the Ethics Committee that Mashatile be reprimanded and fined R10 000 for failing to disclose the diamond in the confidential section of the register of financial interests.

After lodging a complaint with the Ethics Committee in March, DA Chief Whip George Michalakis posed questions regarding the nature of Mashatile's relationship with Liebenberg, particularly as attention shifted towards additional gifts that might have been exchanged over the past five years. Mashatile previously indicated that he was waiting for a professional appraisal of the diamond to determine its value before making the necessary declaration.

He also stated that he had surrendered the diamond to the National Prosecuting Authority, but this was rejected by the committee, insisting that Mashatile should have disclosed the diamond gift and its actual value later.