Mashatile declares R65 million mansions in Constantia and Waterfall on R3 million salary

Deputy President Paul Mashatile has come under scrutiny after declaring two luxury properties with a combined value of R65 million, despite earning just over R3 million annually.

His declarations include a R28.9m valued Constantia estate in Cape Town, a property he previously claimed was owned by his son-in-law’s company.

Within a year, Mashatile declared at least two properties, including a Cape Town estate in Constantia, which he had previously denied owning.

Mashatile listed the properties, one in Constantia, Cape Town, and another in Waterfall, Midrand, Gauteng, in the latest Parliamentary Register of Members’ Interests.

What has further raised eyebrows is that in last year’s register, Mashatile declared smaller properties: a residential plot in Midrand measuring 1,000 by 1,200 square meters, and another in Sandton, measuring 600 by 800 square meters.

This year, Mashatile declared three large residential properties:

- A 4,000-square-meter estate in Constantia, Cape Town

- A 9,300-square-meter home in Waterfall, Midrand

- A 3,000-square-meter property in Kelvin, Johannesburg

The Constantia and Waterfall properties are together valued at approximately R65 million. 

The Constantia property alone, which Mashatile previously denied owning, was confirmed by him to be worth R28.9 million. 

The Waterfall property is reportedly valued at R37 million.

Mashatile previously said the Constantia property is registered under a company owned by his son-in-law, Nceba Nonkwelo, and was purchased in May 2023. 

Previously, in an October 2024 media statement, his office claimed he owned no properties in Cape Town, except for a house in Kelvin that he and his late wife purchased through a bank loan.

The declarations have reignited public debate about the wealth of public servants. 

Mashatile earns R3.16 million annually following a 2.5% increase gazetted by the Presidency in April 2024. 

This includes a basic salary (60% of the total package) and R120,000 per year in non-pensionable cash allowance.

Last year, the Presidency approved a 2.5% salary increase for ministers, the deputy president, deputy ministers, members of parliament, and other public representatives, effective retroactively from April 1, 2024.

Other perks of office include government-funded housing, vehicles, travel benefits, and VIP protection services, all funded by taxpayers. 

Despite these benefits, critics argue it remains unclear how Mashatile could afford such high-value properties on his official salary alone.

Mashatile’s office has consistently denied that he personally owns the luxury properties. 

With the Waterfall case, his spokesperson Keith Khoza said that the home was purchased jointly by his sons and son-in-law, Nceba Nonkwelo, through a normal bank loan and is used as a family residence due to its enhanced security.

The office also denied reports that his sons, Thabiso Mashatile and Tinyiko Mvelase, received tenders from departments Mashatile once oversaw while in the Gauteng government.

“No provincial or national department under the Deputy President's oversight has ever awarded, been accused of awarding, or investigated for awarding tenders to any companies linked to his family,” Khoza said.

Khoza also denied past claims that Nonkwelo is under investigation by the Hawks for funding the Constantia purchase, saying that he is a businessman from an established entrepreneurial family.

He added that Nonkwelo’s business activities are independent and not tied to government tenders, except for a 2013 loan from the Gauteng Partnership Fund (GPF). 

That loan and the related project were investigated by the Gauteng Department of Human Settlements in 2023.

“The Deputy President had no involvement in the loan, which was issued during his tenure as Minister of Arts and Culture and not while he was in the Gauteng government,” said Khoza.

Meanwhile, questions remain about how Nonkwelo acquired money to purchase a nearly R30-million home in Cape Town.

Meanwhile, Hawks national spokesperson Brigadier Thandi Mbambo confirmed to IOL News that the unit is investigating corruption-related claims involving funds used to purchase a R28.9 million property.

“We can confirm that an inquiry into corruption-related allegations made by the DA, including the purchase of a multimillion-rand house in Cape Town, has been registered for further investigation,” Mbambo said.

Democratic Alliance leader John Steenhuisen laid criminal charges in February 2024 at Cape Town Central Police Station against Deputy President Paul Mashatile. 

The charges are related to allegations of corruption, nepotism, and patronage, with Mashatile alleged to be the ultimate beneficiary.

Steenhuisen said the most recent controversy involves the purchase of a Constantia mansion by Mashatile’s son-in-law, Nonkwelo, through his company for R28.9 million. 

He added that the company allegedly still owes the Gauteng Department of Human Settlements R7 million for a failed housing project in Alexandra.

Mbbo added, “It is important to note that we are not investigating a particular individual, “referring to whether Mashatile or Nonkwelo is under direct investigation) but a matter that has been reported.”

“Only when the investigation is finalised and the person of interest has been linked to the case, formally charged and brought before a court of law, will we confirm the name of the individual,” she added.

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