Revealed: MPs' interest-free loans and side business activities

Several Members of Parliament have disclosed receiving loans without interest from “friends”, family, and “comrades”, while others supplement their income by conducting consultancy work or have businesses in the taxi industry outside their parliamentary work.

This emerged from the latest Register of Members’ Interests for 2025 that was released recently.

ActionSA MP Kgosi Letlape made a declaration for a “loan-cash” from a friend.

Similarly, ANC MP Cameron Dugmore declared interest-free loans from family and friends, while Deputy Minister for International Relations and Cooperation Tandi Moraka made a declaration of money from a friend under the benefits and interest-free loans section.

ANC MP and chairperson of the Justice and Constitutional Development Portfolio Committee, Xola Nqola, also made a declaration on a R30,000 loan from a friend.

Their colleague, Christina Tlhong, made a declaration of R60,000 in cash from a private individual under section for gift and hospitality.

MK Party’s Lucky Montana, who has three properties, disclosed that he has a business loan from Thabo Owen Mokoena and benefits from Midtownbrace, an investment in a joint venture for property development.

EFF MP Eugene Mthethwa disclosed, among his gifts, R5,000 from a close friend and R10,000 from a comrade.

Former Finance minister and now MK Party MP Des van Rooysen made a declaration of loan from friends, while his colleague Thulani Gamede declared cash-interest-free and interest-free loans also from friends.

ANC MP Stanley Mathabatha disclosed in his declaration income from the business of cattle, goats, and sheep, and ANC MP Christopher Malematja disclosed that he received income from transport services in the form of taxis.

Minister in the Presidency Khumbudzo Ntshavheni declared that she is a director of Nkho Trading, which is a transport business in taxis and buses.

Health Minister Aaron Motsoaledi said he was a director of Reatswelela Travel and Tours.

Public Works and Infrastructure Deputy Minister Sihle Zikalala has other income from poultry and cattle.

His colleague, Tshiamo Tsotetsi, declared income from the sale and purchase of goats and sheep.

Tsotetsi also made a declaration of gifts of sheep from his uncle and R35,000 donations from private individuals for the Youth League programmes.

ANC MP Mwelo Nonkonyana declared that he practises as an advocate of the high court and has received a sheep and blankets from family members valued at R5,000 and R100,000 cash from the Motsepe Foundation.

Build One South Africa leader Mmusi Maimane disclosed that he resigned from Phangela Security, where he worked outside Parliament.

Maimane made a declaration that he is a director of a partnership in five companies, including One South Africa Movement.

DA MP Michael Bagraim has shares in 11 finance companies and does work for the law firm, Bagraim Attorney, outside his parliamentary work.

Bagraim also receives other income from rentals and is a director in several companies involved in property development, wholesale, and consultancy, as well as a law firm.

His colleague Joseph Britz does consultations on an ad hoc basis for Britz Attorneys, Conveyancer and Notary, and has shares in property development.

DA MP Jan de Villiers declared that he has use of a free company-owned vehicle from Millstream Property Solutions, where he is a 100% director, and Wendy Alexander performs consultancy in business development outside parliamentary work.

Women, Youth and People with Disabilities Deputy Minister Steve Letsike named remuneration outside parliamentary work as being vice-president and councillor for the South African Pharmacy Council.

ANC MP and Health Portfolio Committee chairperson, Sibongiseni Dhlomo, disclosed that he does medical assessment reports for some lawyers pro bono as a way of gaining knowledge.

“This is during my spare time,” said Dhlomo.

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