Release of member's interests shows amazing road to wealth of ANC government clique

Not since the establishment of the Boer Republics, the SA Union and the Republic of South Africa did government leaders enrich themselves as quickly as the people in the sphere of influence of the ANC government are doing at present, Adv, Anton Alberts, the FF Plus' parliamentary spokesperson on finance said.

Media reports today reported on the parliamentary register of member's interests from which it appears that under the leadership of president Jacob Zuma a culture has been established in the party to avoid questions about sensitive issues or to side-step them by not answering the questions.

The aim of the register is to give the public insight into parliamentary member's financial interests and properties to promote transparency.

Some of the issues which have come to light, are the 50% shares of Adv. Ngoako Ramathlodi, minister of mineral resources, in mining companies (Beeld, 19 September 2014).

Baleka Mbete, Speaker of the National Assembly, according to the register has approximately R25 million in shares in Rich Cove Investments (Pty.) Ltd., as well as nearly R2 million in shares in Truncard Trading (Pty.) Ltd.

These two companies apparently were involved in the BEE transaction in the mining company Gold Fields which obtained mining rights in the South Deep mine. The Hawks are investigating this empowerment transaction.

Adv. Anton Alberts says that apart from Cecil John Rhodes with his imperial cabal, no other small group of people in the country's long formative history since 1652, has become so wealthy so quickly as the ANC's inner circle.

"Given the high levels of poverty in South Africa, this favouritism, merely because someone is a highly placed ANC card carrying member and therefore has influence with the dishing out of the wealth by the state, is immoral and the ANC should be ashamed of itself.

"Of course, policies such as BEE make it easier to collect wealth without individuals necessarily having the capabilities to fill the positions or deserve it, other than to posses influence.

"It is clearly shown by the declaration of interests of members of parliament. The FF Plus has in this regard asked a question about public servant's wealth created through BEE transactions.

Statement issued by Adv. Anton Alberts, Plus parliamentary spokesperson: Finance, September 19 2014

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