Ramaphosa Stands Back as Mashatile Faces Mounting Pressure Over Undeclared Diamond Gift

Scandal, silence, and the R10,000 fine raising national eyebrows

As questions swirl around Deputy President Paul Mashatile and a controversial diamond gift tied to an alleged conman, President Cyril Ramaphosa has drawn a clear line: this one’s not on me.

Speaking to journalists at a public event in Pretoria, Ramaphosa refused to shield his second-in-command, stating plainly: “I can’t answer for him. Only he can.”

It’s a sentiment that echoes loudly in a political season thick with ethical lapses and rising public cynicism. But for many South Africans, that answer isn’t enough.

A diamond, a scandal, and a powerful silence

At the heart of the storm is a diamond gifted to Mashatile’s wife by Louis Liebenberg, a businessman now behind bars at Pretoria’s C-Max Prison, facing 42 charges ranging from fraud to racketeering.

Mashatile failed to declare the gift in Parliament’s confidential register, as required by law. The parliamentary ethics committee found him in breach of the code and recommended a formal reprimand plus a R10,000 fine.

The punishment, though, has been widely criticised as laughable.

“Ten thousand rand for failing to declare a diamond?” said political analyst Goodenough Mashego. “It’s not just an insult. It’s a farce. People are laughing at South Africans.”

And he’s not alone. On social media, the fine has been labelled “pocket change” and “evidence of a broken system.”

Who is Louis Liebenberg?

Liebenberg, the man behind the now-infamous gift, has his own troubles. The self-styled diamond dealer is at the centre of a R4 billion fraud case involving a high-stakes investment scam. Authorities allege he lured thousands of investors through social media promises of massive diamond returns.

He was arrested alongside his wife Dezzi in late 2024 after a five-year investigation. Both remain in custody, and Liebenberg is reportedly planning to represent himself in court, calling more than 50 witnesses.

The timing of the gift and Mashatile’s relationship with Liebenberg, is raising eyebrows across political lines.

Mashatile’s growing list of questions

Mashatile, already facing criticism for lavish property holdings and his proximity to powerful businessmen, is under increasing scrutiny.

His recent financial disclosures list luxury properties worth over R65 million—including a R28.9 million Constantia mansion—despite an annual salary of just over R3 million.

Opposition parties have pounced. The Democratic Alliance has laid criminal charges of corruption and nepotism, claiming Mashatile is the true beneficiary behind murky property transactions.

The Hawks have since confirmed that a corruption inquiry is underway, though no one has been formally charged yet.

Parliament’s credibility in the crosshairs

In a country still reeling from state capture revelations, public faith in institutions like Parliament depends on transparency and consequences. The Ethics Committee, while acknowledging that Mashatile’s failure to declare was a first offence, argued the gift should have been listed, with the value submitted later if unknown.

“The disclosure process not only facilitates public trust but also enhances Parliament’s credibility,” the committee said.

But that credibility is being tested.

The latest Members’ Interests Register reveals several MPs declared little or nothing, including figures like Duduzile Zuma-Sambudla and Dr John Hlophe.

“This raises serious questions,” said political analyst Theo Nethling. “Especially when we’re seeing million-rand homes on public officials’ disclosures with very modest incomes.”

Ramaphosa’s cautious distance

For now, President Ramaphosa seems intent on avoiding further entanglement. While opposition voices are calling for Mashatile’s dismissal, the president is publicly hands-off, choosing to wait for his deputy to respond.

But the pressure is mounting. In a political climate where the cost of living is high and trust in leadership is low, the diamond scandal isn’t just about protocol, it’s about integrity.

And with elections approaching, Ramaphosa’s silence may prove more deafening than Mashatile’s own.

{Source: IOL}

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