Acting Public Protector, Advocate Kholeka Gcaleka, announced that she will subpoena President Cyril Ramaphosa to answer questions about the Phala Phala farm robbery.
The Office of the Public Protector stated that the president now has seven days to answer 31 questions asked by the previous Public Protector, Advocate Busiswe Mkhwebane, who has been suspended.
Also read: President Ramaphosa suspends Public Protector Busisiwe Mkhwebane
Ramaphosa has already sidestepped the list of questions a first time, after asking for an extension of the initial due date of June 22, as reported by SABC News, and on 15 July tried to avoid it again with another request for an extension, which was denied by Advocate Gcaleka on the latest due date of 18 July.
As per EWN, he now has seven days to respond to the questions as the Chapter 9 institution invokes its subpoena powers in line with Section 7.4(a) of the Public Protector’s Act.
The set of questions aims to determine whether the president contravened any of the Parliament’s code of ethics or legal obligation imposed on him.
He must also answer questions about whether he had any financial interests at the farm and if it was registered in his name or any any of the companies he had stakes in.
Mkhwebane also wanted to know how much was stolen, recovered, along with when and where it was found.
The Office of the Public Protector’s Oupa Segalwe explained: “The Public Protector may direct the state institution concerned to submit a substantive reply, which the reply must be received no later than seven days from the date of the directive.”
The president has been under increasing pressure to address the Phala Phala farm incident and be accountable, especially from political parties like the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF). According to eNCA, African Transformation Movement leader Vuyo Zungula also lodged a complaint against Ramaphosa last month for allegedly breaching the Executive Code of Ethics.
EFF leader Julius Malema stated last week that they will take the President to court for an investigation into the farm robbery, and will force a motion of no confidence in the President through the courts and Parliamentary processes.
“The EFF will approach the courts of South Africa to compel parliament to conduct and thorough and transparent investigation of all the crimes committed by Cyril Ramaphosa with the aim of building a solid case of impeachment. The EFF will approach all political parties in Parliament, including the ANC to engage on a motion of no confidence against Cyril Ramaphosa as the president of South Africa,” announced Malema.
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