Cape Town — Democratic Alliance (DA) leader, John Steenhuisen, has labelled president Cyril Ramaphosa as “accused number one” when it comes to corruption in South Africa.
Speaking during the National Assembly (NA) in Parliament on Tuesday evening, Steenhuisen did not mince his words as he delivered a scathing review of Ramaphosa’s decision to implement lifestyle audits, just months away from elections.
Steenhuisen questioned Ramaphosa’s commitment to fighting corruption within his own party, alluding to the allegations surrounding Deputy President Paul Masahtile and NA Speaker Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula whose house was raided by the Hawks on Tuesday.
❗️ANC stands for Absolutely No Consequences. The lack of action on corruption within your own party speaks volumes Mr President.
How can South Africans trust you when your Deputy President faces corruption charges and your Speaker’s house was recently raided by the Hawks? pic.twitter.com/CpyvBruRkC
— Democratic Alliance (@Our_DA) March 19, 2024
Steenhuisen lambasted the president, making a statement that was not related to the tabled questions on lifestyle audits in Parliament.
“If you had kept your promise, Mr President, perhaps the many allegations of egregious corruption against Deputy President Paul Mashatile could have come to light, and the required action then could have been taken,” Steenhuisen said.
“And now, again, you announce lifestyle audits 71 days before the end of the parliamentary term. How is anyone supposed to take you seriously on your commitment to a lifestyle audit? We also just learned that the Speaker’s house was raided by the Hawks over corruption allegations dating back to her time when she was appointed as your defence minister by you. Your failure to implement lifestyle audits is what has facilitated this alleged corruption by the Speaker,” he added.
“Since you are the reason that lifestyle audits were not done, you are the reason we are sitting with a allegedly corrupt deputy president, the Speaker’s house being raided and a Cabinet that reads like Zondo’s most-wanted list. Are you going to take responsibility and accept that in this matter you are accused number one?” he concluded.
According to EWN, Steenhuisen said Parliament was protecting Ramaphosa.
“The DA is incredibly disappointed that, once again, Parliament is being used as an instrument to protect the president from answering tough questions about his caucus and being able to hold the speaker accountable.” he said.
[ICYMI] DA’s John Steenhuisen tells the National Assembly that the party has conducted its lifestyle audits. “It is your failure to conduct lifestyle audits that you have a cabinet that reads like the most wanted list of criminals.”#Newzroom405 pic.twitter.com/qzAavgzOU0
— Newzroom Afrika (@Newzroom405) March 19, 2024
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Picture: X/@Our_DA
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Compiled by Matthew Petersen
