A Hawks probe into a R28m Cape Town mansion, a Public Protector (PP) investigation into his children's government contracts, and now an SIU probe into a department where he was MEC has significantly increased pressure on Paul Mashatile to explain his lavish lifestyle, reports News24.

The Deputy President is facing scrutiny in connection with those who appear to fund his lifestyle – including his son-in-law, Nceba Nonkwelo, and his sons, Thabiso Mashatile and Tinyiko Mvelase. 

News24 notes it reported in March the Hawks in the Western Cape are investigating the source of funds used by Nonkwelo to buy a luxury R28m Constantia home in Cape Town.

An FF Plus complaint to the PP over tenders awarded to a company previously owned by Tinyiko and Mashatile Jnr is receiving attention from the Gauteng Office of the PP, with the investigation said to be closely examining contracts awarded by the Gauteng Department of Infrastructure Development.

Now, President Cyril Ramaphosa has authorised a narrow SIU investigation into issues around the Sicelo Shiceka informal settlement construction contracts awarded by the Gauteng Department of Human Settlements, threatening to ensnare Mashatile – who was MEC in the timeframe of the proclamation.

The Deputy President's spokesperson, Keith Khoza, said Mashatile respected the independence of the PP's Office.   He was referring to the PP investigation into his sons.

‘It must be given space to investigate any matter referred to it without fear, or favour. Furthermore, the Deputy President is neither inclined to nor capable of interfering in any investigation or investigations which the enforcement authorities may decide to conduct on him, any party or parties known or favourably disposed to him,’ he said.

News24 notes that in March it obtained an e-mail confirming a complaint by the DA – based on the news outlet’s reports into Mashatile's lifestyle – was being probed by the Hawks, including the source of funds used to buy the luxury property.

The complaints followed a series of News24 exposés, with the police asked to investigate:

* Mashatile's use of two luxury homes belonging to state capture-accused businessman Edwin Sodi in Clifton and a home in Fresnaye owned by Ndavhe Mareda, who had contracts with state entities between 2016 and 2022.

* Payments totalling R372 000 from Sodi to Mashatile first identified by the Zondo Commission.

* The sale of property by Safdev Tanganani to the Gauteng Department of Human Settlements for R80m for a housing project in Diepsloot that is yet to be finalised, including payments by Teddy Greaver, a director of Valumax, the current developer of the property, to Mashatile's former girlfriend, Gugu Nkosi.

* The purchase of a R37m house in Waterfall for Mashatile's use, funded by Nonkwelo's company, Nonkwelo Investments, and loans granted to Nonkwelo for a housing project in Highlands by the Gauteng Partnership Fund.

* The purchase of the Constantia house in December 2023. 

News24 has also revealed in the two years Mashatile was the housing MEC in Gauteng, a law firm (MNS Attorneys) and a consulting company (Arengo 6) – part-owned by his long-standing friend, Mncedisi Ndlovu – banked R337m from Gauteng's Human Settlements Department.

Between 2014 and 2020, the two companies were paid R491m by the department, with a significant increase in payments during Mashatile's tenure.

While these issues are not part of the SIU proclamation, the probe does cover a time period that Mashatile was MEC for Housing in Gauteng - a position he held from February 2016 until March 2018.

Full News24 report