Makatse Sophia Maine (15 January 1948 – 18 August 2020) was a South African politician from the North West. She represented the African National Congress (ANC) in the National Assembly from 1994 to 2009 and was a former chairperson of the ANC Women's League in the Western Transvaal.
Sophie Maine | |
|---|---|
| Member of the National Assembly | |
| In office May 1994 – May 2009 | |
| Constituency | North West |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 15 January 1948 |
| Died | 18 August 2020 (aged 72) |
| Citizenship | South Africa |
| Political party | African National Congress |
Early life and activism edit
Maine was born on 15 January 1948.[1] She rose to prominence through the ANC Women's League in present-day North West Province and served as inaugural chairperson of the league's branch in Ipelegeng in Schweizer-Reneke after the league was relaunched in 1990. She was later elected as regional chairperson of the league in the broader Western Transvaal.[2]
Legislative career: 1994–2009 edit
In South Africa's first post-apartheid elections in 1994, Maine was elected to represent the ANC in the National Assembly, the lower house of the new South African Parliament.[3] She served three terms, gaining re-election in 1999[1] and 2004,[4] and served the North West constituency. During her third term, she was appointed as the ANC's whip in the Portfolio Committee on Water Affairs and Forestry.[5]
Travelgate conviction edit
In August 2004, the Scorpions named Maine as one of several politicians who was under investigation in connection with the Travelgate scandal, which involved the widespread abuse of parliamentary air-travel vouchers.[5] During related liquidation inquiries, it had been alleged that Maine had made unauthorised claims for car hire and hotel stays worth over R200,000; she said that the travel agency had told her that she was allowed to claim the benefits from Parliament.[6] She faced criminal charges and in October 2006 accepted a plea deal, in terms of which she pled guilty to a single count of fraud in relation to R206,000 in service benefits.[7][8] She was sentenced to pay a fine of R100,000, in lieu of serving five years' imprisonment, and was additionally handed a mandatory five-year prison sentence suspended conditionally for five years.[7]
Maine and other convicted politicians received a formal reprimand during a parliamentary sitting in March 2007.[9] In August 2007, the ANC announced that she had been demoted from her position as a committee whip.[10] She left Parliament after the next general election in 2009.
Death edit
Maine died on 18 August 2020 after a short illness.[11] The provincial government of the North West granted her a special provincial official funeral.[11]
References edit
- ^ a b "General Notice: Notice 1319 of 1999 – Electoral Commission: Representatives Elected to the Various Legislatures" (PDF). Government Gazette of South Africa. Vol. 408, no. 20203. Pretoria, South Africa: Government of South Africa. 11 June 1999. Retrieved 26 March 2021.
- ^ Molaetsi, Kedibone (20 August 2020). "ANC in North West mourns the death of Maine". TaungDailyNews. Retrieved 11 May 2023.
- ^ South Africa: Campaign and Election Report April 26–29, 1994. International Republican Institute. 1994. Retrieved 13 April 2023 – via Yumpu.
- ^ "General Notice: Notice 717 of 2004 - Electoral Commission – List of Names of Representatives in the National Assembly and the Nine Provincial Legislatures in Respect of the Elections Held on 14 April 2004" (PDF). Government Gazette of South Africa. Vol. 466, no. 2677. Pretoria, South Africa: Government of South Africa. 20 April 2004. pp. 4–95. Retrieved 26 March 2021.
- ^ a b "Have vouchers, will travel". The Mail & Guardian. 20 August 2004. Retrieved 11 May 2023.
- ^ "MP travel scam: more names to come". IOL. 12 August 2004. Retrieved 11 May 2023.
- ^ a b "National Prosecuting Authority on travel voucher fraud MPs". South African Government. 16 October 2006. Retrieved 1 April 2023.
- ^ "Travelgate: 14 plead guilty". The Mail & Guardian. 16 October 2006. Retrieved 11 May 2023.
- ^ "Parly reprimands Travelgate MPs". News24. 29 March 2007. Retrieved 19 April 2023.
- ^ "DA calls for Travelgate MPs to be dismissed". The Mail & Guardian. 31 August 2007. Retrieved 11 May 2023.
- ^ a b "North West holds Special Provincial Official Funeral for the late Mme Sophie Maine, 26 Aug". South African Government. 25 August 2020. Retrieved 11 May 2023.