President Ramaphosa
Last week, Arthur Fraser, the former head of State Security Agency, alleged that Cyril Ramaphosa concealed the theft of more than $4 million from his game farm in Limpopo province in February 2020 and that the suspects were illegally detained and interrogated.
"President Ramaphosa is facing a crisis of credibility. He should be investigated for money laundering, corruption and kidnapping. Time for cover-up is over- He must step aside". Julius Malema.
While Ramaphosa has denied any wrongdoing, Mr. Fraser is seen as an ally of former President Jacob Zuma. Fraser is considered to be South Africa's top spy and after running SSA, Mr. Fraser went on to head the country's prison service. In September last year, Fraser was responsible for ordering Zuma's release from prison on medical parole.
The corruption see-saw continues to escalate in South Africa and several opposition political parties have called for a full investigation into the theft, including whether the amount of foreign currency allegedly stolen had been declared to the South African Revenue Service.
Julius Malema suggests that Ramaphosa must step aside and take a "leave of absence" to allow the police to conduct a free and impartial investigation. According to Cyril Ramaphosa, he says the cash was from buying and selling animals on his farm. In a bid to remain relevant to the people of South Africa, President Ramaphosa has since agreed to cooperate with any form of investigation.
Be that as it may, Cyril Ramaphosa was not expected to pledge allegiance and reaffirm his commitment to abide with "any form" of investigation. He took an oath to protect, defend and uphold the constitution of South Africa. By not reporting the robbery case at his game farm, the president seriously undermined the authority of public scudity institutions and therefore his actions and integrity as a sitting president are questionable.
Why would a sitting president keep illicit millions of United States dollars under mattresses and couches (furniture) and not in a safe, vault or later alone in a bank? Why did Ramaphosa pay the suspects and his domestic worker R150 000 each in a an attempt to buy their silence? What could have probably stopped the Commander-in-Chief from reporting the case at a police station and does the president even have confidence in his own police department?
How much money was stolen in total and how much was recovered Mr. President? Who are your customers and can we have records of how much they pay for your animals? How will Cyril Matamela Ramaphosa lead the fight against corruption in South Africa after this scandal? Is the president even aware that the law in South Africa doesn't allow an auctioneer to accept cash on site? Is it true that Ramaphosa called the Namibian president to help him in the abduction of suspects? Finally Mr. Ramaphosa, where is the money?
We might not have answers to all of these questions for now, but what we already know is that Ramaphosa has admitted that indeed there was a robbery at his wildlife game farm in Phala-Phala and Mr. Fraser's prima facie evidence and allegations are true so far. Arthur Fraser wants the National Prosecution Authority to arrest the president.
But why did the whistleblower - Mr. Fraser expose Mr. Ramaphosa now and not in 2020?
In his defence the former spy boss said he could have exposed Ramaphosa in 2021 if only he was given an opportunity to appear before the Zondo Commission of Inquiry in the State's Capture hearings. The Zondo Commission was not the only legal remedy available in South Africa to report or expose corruption. On his part, Fraser should have alerted the SSA, the media or other law enforcement agencies when the incident occurred two years ago but he decided not to. Either way, the whistle has been blown, crime was committed and it has to be investigated.
The Ramaphosa scandal is not only a matter of domestic concern but of international consequence. It is alleged that the South African president connived with his Namibian counterpart, President Hage Geingob. It is alleged that the Namibian leader conspired with Ramaphosa to abduct suspects from his country and aided him in concealing his crime of money laundering.
We expect national and international organizations that are genuinely independent to speak out against the alleged human rights violations. Some sections of the media are deliberately trying to divert the attention of the public from Ramaphosa's crime by reporting more on the arrest of the Gupta brothers in the United Arab Emirates.
President Ramaphosa is set to appear before the ruling African National Congress' Integrity Commission. Nothing much is expected from that hearing, especially if the commission is characterized by Ramaphosa's allies. The same applies to law enforcement agents, no policeman or policewoman in South Africa will have the audacity to investigate a state president unless they step aside.
Not only that, President Ramaphosa is said to have been in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, attending the African Union summit when the robbery took place. This is seen as an attempt to claim ignorance of what transpired at his game farm. It is a clear manipulation of the truth and claiming ignorance will not jeorpadize investigations nor save Ramaphosa.
It is further beyond reasonable doubt that crime was committed at Phala Phala farm and that, there are possibilities that the President of South Africa violated human rights by abducting, torturing and bribing suspects.
Politics is dirty. Once again, a head of state is under the spotlight, just a few months away from his party re-election in December. Cyril Ramaphosa will have to wash this dirty laundry in full view of everyone. He already has a lot to deal with; the cost of living in South Africa is on the rise and a divided ANC is preparing for presidential elections.
It can only happen in South Africa, where you steal from a President and in return, instead of being arrested, you walk away R150 000 richer!
@stajicesimmz