South African minister in hot water

South Africa’s mines minister, Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka, is being criticized for accepting a significant discount on a diamond tiara bought from a member of the South African Diamond Board, which regulates part of the industry she oversees.

The opposition Democratic Alliance is calling on President Thabo Mbeki to set up an inquiry into allegations of the irregular receipt of gifts by the minister.

The minister purchased the tiara from diamond merchant MacDonald Temane, a member of the Diamond Board, at what a national newspaper described as a “startlingly low price.” Temane has denied giving the minister a discount.

The Democratic Alliance is likely to request that the matter be referred to the parliamentary ethics committee.

For her part, Mlambo-Ngcuka says she will donate the tiara to an educational jewelry project.