President Cyril Ramaphosa has reportedly told the ANC’s National Working Committee (NWC) he plans to appear before the integrity commission over the alleged covering up of robbery at his Phala Phala farm in Limpopo in 2020.
This follows reports last week that an amount estimated to be $4 million was allegedly stolen by five Namibians who conspired with Ramaphosa’s domestic worker in February 2020.
The former state security boss Arthur Fraser laid a criminal charge against Ramaphosa for breaching the Prevention of Organised Crime Act by allegedly not reporting the robbery when it took place.
According to Business Day, the president met the ANC top officials yesterday and a report was expected to be presented to the party’s national working committee in the afternoon, but it did not happen. Spokesperson for ANC, Pule Mabe said the NWC welcomed and commended the decision by Ramaphosa to voluntarily present himself to the ANC Integrity Commission in line with ANC policy.
“The National Officials undertook to process the matter expeditiously and to report to the next NWC. The NWC will deliberate on the matter further once it has received a report from the National Officials,” he said.
Ramaphosa confirmed last week that the robbery did take place but denied any wrongdoing on his part.
Presidential spokesperson Vincent Magwenya stated: “The president was attending an African Union Summit in Addis Ababa at the time of the incident. On being advised of the robbery, president Ramaphosa reported the incident to the head of the Presidential Protection Unit of the South African Police Service for investigation.”
He added that Ramaphosa would cooperate with any law enforcement operation linked to the incident.
Political parties and heads have since called for swift action on the matter with UDM leader, Bantu Holomisa, calling for Parliament to investigate the matter. The DA and ActionSA have also written to Reserve Bank Governor, Lesetja Kganyago, and Sars Commissioner Edward Kieswetter, enquiring about their knowledge of these funds, declarations made and tax for such transactions, as per IOL.
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“I never have and will never steal from taxpayers” – President Ramaphosa
Picture: Cape {town} Etc gallery