By Fakir Hassen, IANS,
Cape Town : A miniature Korean nuclear power station, a handmade Libyan pistol, African antelopes, six boxes of raw fish and a suit of clothes are among the strange gifts received by South African parliamentarians in the latest list that has been opened to public scrutiny here.
In line with the South African parliament developing standards of ethical behaviour for MPs and administering a code of conduct, all members are required to register their financial interests and those of their spouses, dependants and permanent companions every year with the Office of the Registrar of Members Interests, where it lies open for inspection by anyone.
The 2008 Register of Members’ Interest released this week shows that Minister of Public Affairs Alec Erwin probably received the most unusual gift – a miniature version of a nuclear plant, declared as being worth 150 rands (about $40) – from the South Korean ambassador. The Koreans also gave Wendy Makgate of the African National Congress (ANC) a toy car.
Another ANC MP, Ben Fihla, declared six boxes of raw fish donated to him for his church.
Minister of Defence Mosiuoa Lekota got a handmade pistol from his Libyan counterpart, while Deputy Sport Minister Gert Oosthuizen declared receiving an eland and a kudu, the most unusual animals gifted among the scores of sheep, goats and other livestock that many other MPs declared.
Inkatha Freedom Party leader Mangosutho Buthelezi declared a 2,000-rand set of clothes received from a “former Zimbabwean mayor”.
Other unusual gifts listed included Deputy President Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka’s silver teapot with five tea bags from one Carrol Boyes; a solar mobile phone charger received by ANC MP Fatima Chohan; and handmade date cookies from the Chinese embassy for Minister of Safety and Security Charles Nqakula.
Marthinus van Schalkwyk, former leader of the now defunct National Party and now Minister of Environmental Affairs and Tourism, boasts honorary membership of no less than three prestigious clubs across the country – the Durban Country Club; the Oceana Powerboat Club and the Royal Cape Yacht Club.
The opposition Democratic Alliance MP Janet Semple emerged as the parliamentarian with the greatest number of shares in a variety of top companies declared.
A dozen MPs may have a bleak future after elections scheduled for next year if they do not get re-elected – they all stated that they had nothing to disclose in any category, including that besides never having received any gifts, they also had no investments, owned no land and have no pension.