President Cyril Ramaphosa has declined to defend Deputy President Paul Mashatile amid growing controversy over an undeclared diamond gift allegedly linked to controversial diamond dealer Louis Liebenberg. The move signals a rare public separation between South Africa’s top two leaders as ethical questions mount.
The scandal erupted after Parliament’s ethics committee fined Mashatile R10,000 for failing to declare the diamond, which was reportedly gifted to his wife. While Mashatile claimed he delayed disclosure pending valuation, the committee rejected this explanation as insufficient.
“I can’t answer for him,” Ramaphosa stated when pressed on the matter. “He has answers for all these matters…only he can answer them.” The president’s hands-off approach underscores his emphasis on individual accountability amid rising public scrutiny of government ethics.
The undeclared gift has drawn attention to Mashatile’s association with Liebenberg, a figure with a history of legal and financial controversies. Though no criminal charges have been filed, the deputy president’s silence is fueling speculation and eroding public trust.
Political analysts note Ramaphosa’s distancing tactic comes as his administration seeks to rebuild credibility following years of state capture scandals. With Mashatile yet to provide a comprehensive response, the pressure continues to build on South Africa’s second-highest officeholder to address the allegations transparently.
The standoff leaves Mashatile increasingly isolated as South Africans await answers, with the scandal threatening to overshadow his tenure as deputy president unless he breaks his silence soon.