Bling and luxury: here are the lavish perks SA’s MPs enjoy

The parliamentary committee on ethics and members’ interests on Tuesday released its register of MPs’ declarations, revealing some of the gifts, shares, and items that MPs declared this year.

Here is a breakdown of some of the MPs with the most considerable financial interests:

Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa

FILE PICTURE: Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa. (Photo: GCIS)

Ramaphosa declared shares in Mondi Paper and Packaging. His shares at the international packaging and paper group are valued at more than R2 million.

He is also a director of Micawber 799 and 800, which is the holding company of the McDonald’s fast-food chain in South Africa.

Ramaphosa listed 31 properties in the country that he owns, mostly situated in Johannesburg and in Cape Town, and he is also a trustee in at least four Trusts.

Finance Minister Pravin Gordhan

Minister of Finance Pravin Gordhan during a board meeting with South African Airways (SAA) on September 09, 2016 in Pretoria, South Africa. During the meeting, Finance Minister Pravin Gordhan announced the approval of R5 billion bailout application for the airline. Picture: Gallo Images

Gordhan holds shares in blue-chip companies Naspers, Growthpoint, Spar, MTN, Bidvest, Sasol, BHP Billiton and all of South Africa’s major banks.

Home Affairs Minister Malusi Gigaba

FILE PICTURE: Minister of home affairs Malusi Gigaba. Picture: Refilwe Modise.

Gigaba owns a property at the opulent Blue Valley Golf Estate. He is also in the process of acquiring another property in Centurion, Gauteng.

The home affairs minister declared a variety of gifts, including wines, pairs of socks, scarfs and ties, books, and a 12-year Johnnie Walker Black Label worth R4 050 from an embassy in Pretoria.

State Security Minister David Mahlobo

Minister of State Security David Mahlobo. (Photo: GCIS)

Mahlobo declared a diamond ring, diamond cufflinks, a diamond watch, diamond pen and diamond neck chain valued at R28 000 from Saudi Arabia.

International Relations and Cooperation Minister Maite Nkoana-Mashabane

FILE PICTURE: Minister of International Relations and Cooperation Maite Nkoana-Mashabane. (Photo: DIRCO)

Nkoana-Mashabane owns just two properties but received a catalogue of small gifts, including a fur coat worth at least R3 000 from the Kazakh Ambassador during a courtesy call.

Human Settlements Minister Lindiwe Sisulu

Minister of Human Settlements Lindiwe Sisulu. Picture: Gallo Images

Sisulu received chocolates and wine from the Turkish embassy, a cake plate from Malaysia and a biscuit basket from Standard Bank.

Communications Minister Faith Muthambi

FILE PICTURE: Minister of Communications Faith Muthambi. (Photo: GCIS)

Muthambi appeared to be a big fan of Orlando Pirates football club, with no less than three match tickets to the team’s matches, each valued at R1 500.

Democratic Alliance (DA) leader Mmusi Maimane

Democratic Alliance leader Mmusi Maimane. Picture: Alaister Russell

Maimane owns two houses in Roodepoort, west of Johannesburg, and declared a few gifts and hospitality items, including paintings each worth R10 000 and R6 000, and a R6 000 Fabiani suit, shirt and tie from the designer.

Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) leader Julius Malema

Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) leader Julius Malema. Gallo Images

Malema had “nothing to disclose” except his interests in four family and investment trusts that had no benefit.

The trusts are Kopano, Munzhedzi, Mazimbu and Ratanang trusts.

Fourteen failed to declare their interests and could face sanctions if they do not declare within seven days.