Cape Town — Various political parties have expressed disappointment in the National Prosecuting Authority’s (NPA) decision not to prosecute Cyril Ramaphosa in the Phala Phala saga.
Ramaphosa was cleared of the charges at his Phala Phala farm after an investigation from the Hawks found that there was no reasonable prospect of a successful prosecution based on evidence contained in the docket.
The uMkhonto weSizwe (MK) Party’s John Hlophe deemed the NPA’s decision not to prosecute Ramaphosa as “nonsensical and shocking”. Hlophe said it was a clear indication that the institution was captured and vowed to raise the issue in Parliament, IOL reported.
“The suggestion by NPA that there are no reasonable prospects of such to prosecute Ramaphosa is nonsensical,” he said.
The MK Party is not the only party to take issue with the NPA’s decision. The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF), the Democratic Alliance (DA), African Transformation Movement (ATM) and Build One South Africa (BOSA) all expressed their concerns.
The EFF said the refusal of the NPA is a continuation of State institutions to protect Ramaphosa from being held accountable for his crimes, and compared the situation to Jacob Zuma and State Capture
EFF STATEMENT ON NPA’s DECISION NOT TO PROSECUTE PHALA PHALA CRIMES
The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) is dismayed, but not unsurprised by the decision of the NPA not to prosecute anyone in relation to the severe crimes committed at the Ramaphosa Phala Phala. pic.twitter.com/GEe5O1THKe
— Economic Freedom Fighters (@EFFSouthAfrica) October 11, 2024
The DA also demanded more answers from the NPA with DA leader, John Steenhuisen, saying the NPA would be summoned to explain their decision.
“I think that there needs to be a great explanation of the decision. I think that when a decision like this is made and it has obvious implications that reach right to the very top of government, that there does need to be greater information provided,” DA leader John Steenhuisen said.
DA leader John Steenhuisen says the party wants the NPA to account to Parliament over Phala Phala https://t.co/CZiMicofdg pic.twitter.com/jqxqI0FBGO
— Polity.org.za (@PolityZA) October 11, 2024
Meanwhile, the African Transformation Movement (ATM) said it was disappointed in the decision not to prosecute anyone in the Phala Phala matter.
“This decision is not only legally flawed but fundamentally undermines the principles of justice, transparency, and accountability that are essential to upholding our democracy,” ATM leader Vuyo Zungula said.
African Transformation Movement leader Vuyolwethu Zungula has slammed the NPA for declining to prosecute Cyril Ramaphosa or anyone for violating the Income Tax Act and Exchange Control Regulations at his Phala Phala Farm in Limpopo. Zungula says Ramaphosa’s failure to register a… pic.twitter.com/yRR3mtkbBi
— Newzroom Afrika (@Newzroom405) October 10, 2024
Build One South Africa (Bosa) expressed surprise at the NPA’s decision. National spokesperson Roger Solomons said that such a significant decision should be made with complete transparency.
Solomons stressed the need for public discussion to reassure citizens that the decision was made in good faith and with careful judgement. He also reiterated Bosa’s strong stance against corruption and its commitment to ensuring that those who misuse their power for personal gain are held accountable.
❗️[Media Statement] ❗️Phala Phala: BOSA requests NPA’s record of
decision to not prosecute anyone involved#BuildOneSA pic.twitter.com/XDs0cDnnSN— BOSA (@BuildOneSA) October 11, 2024
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Compiled by Matthew Petersen
