By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
Parliament will not be probing the allegations of theft at President Cyril Ramaphosa’s Phala Phala Game Farm.
This follows a request by Democratic Alliance (DA) leader John Steenhuisen.
Steenhuisen wrote to National Assembly Speaker Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula, requesting that she establish a committee during the adjournment of the Assembly for a period of more than 14 days in terms of the National Assembly Rule 253(1)(b) by the Speaker after consulting the Chief Whip and the most senior whip of each of the other parties.
However, Mapisa-Nqakula declined the request, seemingly because some of the investigation tasks are currently being undertaken by other authorities, including law enforcement.
She argued that rule 253 sets out requirements for establishing an ad hoc committee, one of which is the performance of a specific task.
“While the request proposes a committee on Phala Phala, it goes on to list various distinct tasks for investigation,” the statement read.
“In the nature of the proposed investigation, this is understandable. However, some of the tasks proposed are arguably, still within the purview of other entities or institutions, including law enforcement, and may indeed necessitate Parliament’s attention in due course.”
The Speaker said the various components raised by Steenhuisen for parliamentary intervention were better suited for attention by the existing parliamentary oversight structures.
Former State Security Agency boss Arthur Fraser opened a kidnapping and money laundering case against Ramaphosa, Presidential Protection Unit head Major-General Wally Rhoode and Crime Intelligence members for allegedly concealing a burglary at Phala Phala in February 2020.
According to the affidavit Fraser gave police, Ramaphosa had kept at least $4 million in cash stashed in a couch at his game farm – and then played a part in a cover-up following an allegedly illegal investigation into the matter.
While Ramaphosa has confirmed that a robbery occurred at his farm in which he said proceeds from the sale of game were stolen, he denied claims of criminal conduct.
In response Steenhuisen said “we will urgently consider our legal options to challenge the Speaker’s refusal to establish an ad-hoc committee to investigate Ramaphosa’s Phala Phala scandal, this move by Parliament to shield the President from accountability can’t go unchallenged.”
Meanwhile, the Speaker also declined African Transformation Movement’s (ATM) motion submitted in accordance with National Assembly Rule 129A to seek the removal of the president in terms of section 89 of the Constitution.