It’s probably too early to make a call whether Paul Mashatile, SA’s deputy president, will make a good president. However, it’s about time South Africans asked whether they can trust his judgment.
Since becoming the second-most powerful government official, the ANC deputy president has been dodging questions about his glamorous lifestyle, especially his homes. As the net of public scrutiny closed in on him, he had no choice but to declare that he lived in two houses belonging to his family members — his son-in-law and son — in the Western Cape and Gauteng, where he also happens to have official residences.
It’s curious why Mashatile decided to declare the use of the Cape Town property only during this reporting cycle, not earlier. For a backbencher MP, it wouldn’t be worrying; after all, their Cape Town residences are modest. Mashatile’s, on the other hand, is way too comfortable even for a deputy president.
Even more concerning, in the past Mashatile has raised eyebrows when it was found that he had used another luxury property, this one belonging to corruption-accused businessman Edwin Sodi. He has had to pay a R10,000 fine for accepting a diamond piece from a dodgy character.
Two things are clear: first, even if he were to pay rent from his R3m salary, he wouldn’t be able to afford it; and second, for a deputy president and aspiring president, he has poor judgment. He shouldn’t have allowed himself to be in this situation.
His response has been more worrying. Instead of explaining himself to the media, he chose to blame it. His flimsy explanations are an insult to our intelligence.
His boss, President Cyril Ramaphosa, should be equally concerned. What did the lifestyle audits he promised us reveal about his deputy, and what did he do about it?
Mashatile must come out in a clear manner. If there is no wrongdoing, he should tell us the terms of these arrangements.
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