Cape Town – The United Democratic Movement (UDM) is demanding that the South African Reserve Bank (SARB) make public its report clearing President Cyril Ramaphosa of any wrongdoing in the 2020 Phala Phala farm scandal within seven days.
The SARB released the report but said that it would not be accessible to the public due to legislative constraints.
“The report by the SARB into this matter is a private internal report,” it said in a statement.
However, the UDM argues that the report should be in the public interest and questions the implications of the SARB’s statement.
The party is requesting a copy of the report and suggests that if it’s not provided, it might take alternative actions.
“The SARB media statement raises more questions than answers. There are certain established facts in the matter, for instance, there was undeclared foreign cash currency involved, that was stashed in Presidential furniture, which was stolen (with which no buffalo were bought). It is still not clear if the foreign currency was declared with the SARB, within thirty days of entering the country,” UDM president Bantu Holomisa said.
#PhalaPhalaFarmGate: The UDM has written to SARB with a PAIA request with a view to obtain its Phala Phala Report.
We should be past this secretive unresponsive culture in public and private bodies which often led to an abuse of power. pic.twitter.com/KepcaIoxpx
— Bantu Holomisa (@BantuHolomisa) August 22, 2023
He added: “Also, if there were no perfected transactions, to who does the foreign currency belong at the time of the theft at Phala Phala? Furthermore, what are the implications of what the SARB is saying in its statement? To whom does the foreign currency belong to now, is the SARB implying that Ramaphosa is a thief, or is he misleading the country?”
“Should the SARB decline to produce its Phala Phala Report in terms of PAIA within seven days of this letter, the UDM reserves the right to other courses of action.”
Various other opposition parties have criticised the findings of the SARB following its year-long investigation into the “Phala Phala matter”.
The investigation was prompted by allegations made by Arthur Fraser, former head of correctional services, regarding the theft of undeclared foreign currency from Ramaphosa’s private game farm.
Opposition parties, including the Democratic Alliance (DA), Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF), and Freedom Front Plus (FF Plus), have raised concerns about the transparency and accountability of the investigation.
ALSO READ | Phala Phala saga: Opposition unhappy over SARB report clearing Ramaphosa
According to Times Live, the DA criticised the focus of the investigation, suggesting that certain suspicious circumstances were not adequately addressed.
“This statement by the Reserve Bank raises questions about transparency and accountability,” the report quoted the DA as saying.
The EFF rejected the findings, maintaining that Ramaphosa used his farming business as a front for money laundering. They also pointed out that foreign currency had entered South Africa unlawfully, and Ramaphosa was in possession of such currency beyond the allowed timeframe.
“In their pathetic and poor attempt to cleanse Ramaphosa of the Phala Phala crimes, the SARB has unwittingly confirmed our suspicions that there was never a transaction or intention to have a legal transaction.
“Instead, the intention was to launder money through Phala Phala, as we have consistently maintained that Ramaphosa uses his farming business as a front for money laundering,” said the EFF.
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Compiled by Betha Madhomu
