Cape Town — The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) has called for President Cyril Ramaphosa’s resignation after SARS revealed that the alleged $580 000 stolen from his farm was not declared.
SARS said the money “could not be found and /or may not be in existence”.
Sudanese businessman Hazim Mustafa previously said that he declared the cash when he came to South Africa to purchase game, eNCA reported.
“The SARS Information Officer, after an extensive search for the record in various SARS Passenger Processing Systems, and engagements with the relevant business units within SARS which he believed may be in custody of and/ or be in possession of and/or have knowledge of the records requested, was advised that the record could not be found and /or may not be in existence,” SARS said.
EFF Statement On SARS Confirmation That 580 000 US Dollars Handed Over At Phala Phala Farm Was Not Declared pic.twitter.com/k446C0dafn
— Economic Freedom Fighters (@EFFSouthAfrica) March 6, 2023
The EFF called the revelation by SARS “damning” and alleged that Ramaphosa participated in tax evasion.
“SARS confirmation of the non-existence of a declaration by Mustafa of the money which was given to Ramaphosa, gives credence to the suspicions that Ramaphosa never declared the money he placed in sofas and mattresses to SARS himself, because he knew the money was never declared once it entered South Africa.
“This means that Cyril Ramaphosa, the President of South Africa actively aided and participated in tax evasion. This affirms the Section 89 Independent Panel’s findings, which found that Ramaphosa may have violated the Consitution of South Africa and sections of the Executive Members Ethics Act,” the party said.
ALSO READ | Phala Phala saga: SARS says $580 000 paid to Ramaphosa farm was not declared
The party once more, called for Ramaphosa to resign and suggested that his actions played a role in the country being grey-listed by the Financial Action Task Force (FATF).
“The EFF reiterates its calls for the immediate resignation of Cyril Ramaphosa for having failed dismally to lead South Africa and for being a certified Constitutional Delinquent.
“The Phala Phala farm scandal is the greatest violation of South Africa’s laws and undermining of our economy, and is a contributing factor to the grey listing of our country by the FATF.
“Ramaphosa is a criminal, and if he does not resign as the lies of Phala Phala unravel, then the people of South Africa must stand up on the 20th of March 2023 and force him to leave the Office of the President, which he continues to disgrace and destroy.”
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Picture: Twitter/ @EFFSouthAfrica
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Compiled by Junaid Benjamin
