Shivambu failed to disclose VBS payments - Parly
Parliament's Joint Committee on Ethics and Members' Interests has found that EFF deputy president, Floyd Shivambu failed to disclose three payments from the now-defunct VBS bank.
This was revealed on Monday by Parliament's acting Registrar of Members' Interests Adv. Anthea Gordon responding to a complaint by the Democratic Alliance (DA).
Shivambu was accused of benefiting from the VBS looting that might have financed his wedding.
In 2019, the DA filed a complaint with the committee accusing Shivambu of receiving donations from the controversial bank via a company called Grand Azania between 2017 and 2018.
The Daily Maverick reported that Grand Azania paid over half a million rand towards Shivambu’s wedding celebrations in April 2017.
According to the Committee, Shivambu had not disclosed three payments and had breached the Code of Ethical Conduct and Disclosure of Members' Interests.
These payments are R100 000 on 18 August 2017, a further R30 000 on 24 August 2017, and R50 000 on 26 August 2017
"The Committee obtained an affidavit by the Liquidator in the VBS Liquidation matter which identified that three payments were made to "Floyd Shivambu and/or Nyiko Shivambu" by Sgameka Projects Pty Ltd during 2017, the Committee noted that these three (3) payments were not disclosed by Hon Shivambu, MP," the committee said.
The committee recommended that Shivambu's salary be docked nine days’ income as a sanction.
"In the light of the above, the Committee found that Hon Shivambu, MP breached item 10.1.1.1 of the Code of Ethical Conduct and Disclosure of Members' Interests ("the Code") for failing to comply with the requirements of the provisions for disclosing financial interest," they said.
"The Committee will recommend to the House that a sanction in terms of item 10.7.7.1 (iii) of the Code be imposed. Item 10.7.7.1 (iii) provides for a sanction of a reduction of salary or allowances for a period not exceeding 30 days to be imposed. The Committee has resolved to recommend to the House to impose a reduction of salary of 9 (nine) days salary."
The DA's Chief Whip, Siviwe Gwarube says law enforcement agencies should dig deep in their investigations.
"We are Members of Parliament; accountable to the public. That is why it is important that we disclose and declare all financial and non-financial interests.
"This is for accountability and transparency. Shivambu’s failure to declare monies received through VBS cast doubt on all public statements he has made about this matter. While this comes as cold comfort to those who lost their life’s savings in the VBS Heist, it is a step in the right direction by Parliament,” she said.
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