Failure to name ministers 'a mistake'

Cape Town - President Jacob Zuma's failure to name 24 cabinet members who failed to disclose their financial interests in time was a "bona fide mistake", a government spokesperson said on Thursday.

"As said in President Jacob Zuma's reply to Parliament, this failure was a bona fide mistake as the members had disclosed their assets and interests to Parliament at the same time in terms of the Parliamentary Ethics Code," a statement from government spokesperson Themba Maseko said.

"When the mistake was realised, all Members of the executive corrected their mistake and made the correct disclosures."

Democratic Alliance parliamentary leader Athol Trollip said on Wednesday that Zuma's response "is indicative of the administration's growing disrespect for accountability and transparency".

Maseko said Zuma did not feel that "any useful purpose" would be served in releasing the names as members had already complied.

He said however, that the national executive has "nothing to hide" on the matter and listed the names, who include:

• Zuma.

• Deputy President Kgalema Motlanthe.

• Trade and Industry Minister Rob Davies.

• Former Minister of Women, Youth, Children and People with Disabilities Minister Noluthando Mayende-Sibiya.

• Former Labour Minister Membathisi Mdladlana.

• International Affairs and Cooperation Minister Maite Nkoana-Mashabane.

• Higher Education and Training Minister Blade Nzimande.

• Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs Minister Sicelo Shiceka.

• Defence and Military Veterans Minister Lindiwe Sisulu.

• Women, Youth, Children and People with Disabilities Minister Lulu Xingwana.

• Public Works Deputy Minister Hendrietta Bogopane-Zulu.

• Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs Deputy Minister Yunus Carrim.

• Social Development Minister Bathabile Dlamini.

• Public Enterprises Minister Malusi Gigaba.

• Finance Minister Pravin Gordhan

• Human Settlements Deputy Minister Zoe Kota-Fredericks.

• Public Works Minister Gwen Mahlangu-Nkabinde.

• Higher Education and Training Deputy Minister Hlengiwe Mkhize.

• Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Deputy Minister Pieter Mulder.

• The late Health Deputy Minister Molefi Sefularo.

• Health Minister Aaron Motsoaledi.

• Defence and Military Veterans Deputy Minister Thabang Makwetla.

• Justice and Constitutional Development Deputy Minister Andries Nel.

• Public Service and Administration Minister, Richard Baloyi.