In South African politics, few things stir the pot like a multimillion-rand mansion and whispers of corruption.
That’s exactly what’s happening now, as Deputy President Paul Mashatile finds himself in the middle of a growing controversy—and ANC veteran Tony Yengeni thinks it’s all part of a calculated plot.
R28.9 Million Mansion Raises Eyebrows
It all began with questions about a luxury mansion in Constantia, Cape Town, worth a jaw-dropping R28.9 million.
For months, Mashatile distanced himself from the property, claiming it belonged to his son-in-law, Nceba Nonkwelo.
But that narrative changed recently when Mashatile formally declared the home as his own in the latest 2025 Parliament register of members’ interests.
That declaration revealed not just the Constantia house, but two other massive properties as well:
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A 4,000 square metre residential home in Constantia, Western Cape
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A 9,000 square metre family home in Waterfall, Midrand
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A 3,000 square metre residential property in Kelvin, Johannesburg
In total, the value of these properties is estimated to be around R65 million.
Real Estate Expert Says the Numbers Don’t Add Up
Mashatile earns a salary of about R3.2 million per year in his role as deputy president.
But luxury real estate agent Gary Phelps told eNCA that the Constantia home alone would be a financial stretch for someone on that income.
According to Phelps, just the rates and taxes could be around R40,000 per month—not even including general maintenance and other costs.
A mortgage, he estimated, would be in the ballpark of R250,000 a month.
“To qualify to buy this house, you’d need to be earning about R1.2 million a month,” he said.
Tony Yengeni Says There’s a Plot Against Mashatile
Enter Tony Yengeni, the controversial ANC figure and convicted fraudster.
Taking to X (formerly Twitter), Yengeni came to Mashatile’s defense—though without offering evidence—claiming that there’s a clear effort underway to push the deputy president out.
“There is a plot to remove Paul and it’s hotting up!” he posted.
Yengeni also accused the media and other ANC leaders of turning a blind eye to those with even more questionable assets.
“There are leaders in the ANC who have far more massive mansions in every city here and abroad… Not one farm… farms! Not one mine… Mines!” he added, suggesting Mashatile is being unfairly singled out.
Hawks Step In to Investigate the Money Trail
While the political noise continues to grow, the Hawks—the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation—have confirmed they are officially looking into the source of the funds used to buy the Constantia mansion.
Spokesperson Thandi Mbambo told IOL that the probe is in response to a formal complaint made by the Democratic Alliance (DA).
However, she clarified that they are not targeting a specific individual at this stage.
“We’re investigating the matter, not a person,” she explained.
Bigger Questions About ANC Wealth and Accountability
Yengeni’s fiery comments have sparked a wider debate: is Mashatile being unfairly targeted, or is this part of a much-needed reckoning within the ANC?
Many South Africans are now questioning how numerous politicians manage to afford lavish properties, both locally and abroad, on government salaries.
Yengeni’s defense may have backfired—drawing more attention to a deeper culture of wealth and secrecy in top political circles.
As the Hawks dig deeper, and Mashatile remains under scrutiny, the public will be watching closely to see whether this scandal unravels into something bigger.
