Cape Town – South African politicians have made their positions clear after a panel probing a burglary scandal at President Cyril Ramaphosa’s farm said on Wednesday it found enough evidence to warrant a parliamentary debate on whether he should be impeached.
The three-person panel set up in September to probe the alleged cover-up of a theft at Ramaphosa’s farmhouse wrote in its conclusions that the information it gathered “discloses… that the president may have committed” serious violations and misconduct.
These included not reporting the theft directly to police, acting in a way inconsistent with holding office and exposing himself to a clash between his official responsibilities and his private business
The panel posed three questions for Ramaphosa to answer:
- “The source of the money stolen.”
- “Why was the house breaking and theft not reported in terms of section 34 (1) of PRECCA or to any other police officer for investigation?”
- Why did the South Africa police request the Namibian police requested to handle the matter ‘with discretion’?
The report of Section 89 Independent Panel has since been published on the official website of Parliament and is obtainable through the link: https://t.co/J3VsHA9o87
The report will be considered by the National Assembly at its plenary sitting scheduled for 6 December 2022.— Parliament of RSA (@ParliamentofRSA) November 30, 2022
Following the release of the report, Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) leader, Julius Malema tweeted, “Gone”.
Malema, did not, however, explicitly link the tweet to the report’s release.
Gone
— Julius Sello Malema (@Julius_S_Malema) November 30, 2022
Meanwhile, Co-operative Governance and Traditional Affairs Minister Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma also took to social media to air her views.
“The historic mission of the ANC is to create a better life for all. It’s not only about ANC members or Nasrec delegates, it’s about the people of South Africa,” Dlamini-Zuma said.
“I think the President has to step aside now and answer to the case.
“If you go and read the ANC step aside rule, I think he should step aside,” she added.
I think the President has to step aside now and answer to the case #PowerToTruth
— Dr Dlamini Zuma (@DlaminiZuma) November 30, 2022
The EFF Welcomed The Findings Of The Independent Panel On Phala Phala Farm.
EFF Welcomes The Findings Of The Independent Panel On Phala Phala Farm, Which Found That Cyril Ramaphosa Has Violated The Constitution pic.twitter.com/VlGL1AqNWT
— Economic Freedom Fighters (@EFFSouthAfrica) November 30, 2022
The EFF’s Floyd Shivambu said that it felt like 1994.
“DONE! We can’t be led by criminal Presidents! It feels like 1994:- our people will be freed from white minority domination and rule! FREEDOM AT LAST!,” he wrote.
DONE! We can’t be led by criminal Presidents! It feels like 1994:- our people will be freed from white minority domination and rule! FREEDOM AT LAST! pic.twitter.com/thBOF30Xry
— Floyd Shivambu (@FloydShivambu) November 30, 2022
Democratic Alliance (DA) leader John Steenhuisen labelled the latest Phala Phala report as “a defining moment for our constitutional democracy.”
“The DA is studying the Section 89 panel report in order to hold President Ramaphosa accountable in Parliament, and to lead South Africa out of this crisis,” Steenhuisen said.
The Phala Phala report is a defining moment for our constitutional democracy.
The DA is studying the Section 89 panel report in order to hold President Ramaphosa accountable in Parliament, and to lead South Africa out of this crisis.
— John Steenhuisen MP (@jsteenhuisen) November 30, 2022
The DA has noted the findings of the Section 89 Independent Panel. This is a defining moment for our democracy.
The DA will study the report and the DA Leader will make an announcement on steps to be taken going forward tomorrow.#PhalaPhalaFarmGatehttps://t.co/ujtXNdGIj5
— Democratic Alliance (@Our_DA) November 30, 2022
Radio personality Clement Manyathela also weighed in on the matter, saying that the evidence against the president was “damning”.
“I just finished reading the #PhalaPhala report. Yhu. The President CANNOT justify staying in office while the impeachment process does it’s work. (That’s assuming the ANC won’t close ranks & vote against instituting committee).These findings are DAMNING,” Manyathela tweeted.
I just finished reading the #PhalaPhala report. Yhu??♂️. The President CANNOT justify staying in office while the impeachment process does it’s work. (That’s assuming the ANC won’t close ranks & vote against instituting committee).These findings are DAMNING.
— Clement Manyathela (@TheRealClementM) November 30, 2022
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Picture: Twitter/@EFFSouthAfrica
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Compiled by Junaid Benjamin
Additional information by AFP
