By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
The ANC integrity commission has recommended that the president Cyril Ramaphosa takes the National Executive Committee (NEC) into his confidence and the people of South Africa about the allegations of impropriety related to dealings at his Phala Phala farm.
The commission is due to update the ANC’s national executive committee (NEC) at a meeting that starts on Friday, and the matter is expected to be fiercely debated.
The commission, led by ANC veteran George Mashamba, met on Wednesday and agreed to order Ramaphosa to take the NEC and the public into his confidence about the allegations at his Phala Phala farm.
According to the report, when Ramaphosa met the elders he told them that he had been barred by the public protector from discussing details of the incident.
The commission did not reach a consensus on a proposal that the president should be suspended or step aside, given the accusations he faces.
They are expected to present a progress report to the NEC.
“The IC finds that while the Phala Phala incident and events around it have definitely brought the ANC into disrepute, at this stage, it is not possible to determine individuals’ responsibilities in bringing the ANC into disrepute. The IC, therefore, recommends that the president takes the NEC into his confidence and the NEC takes the people of South Africa into its confidence, on a matter which has brought the ANC into disrepute,” the leaked draft report reads.
“It could be forces external to the ANC and the way in which they have mobilised around the incident, that has brought the ANC into disrepute. It could be the way in which forces within the ANC have mobilised that have brought the ANC into disrepute.
“It could be that Cde President broke the law that has brought the ANC into disrepute.”
The commission said it was difficult to reach a conclusion as the matter has been placed at the centre of the party’s battle for leadership. It said the outcome was not going to “enable the ANC to fulfil the promise of renewal” because of the rivalry that goes from “strength to strength”.
Ramaphosa’s refusal to discuss the matter both inside the ANC and publicly is expected to come into sharp focus at the NEC meeting this weekend.
The details of the robbery emerged when former spy boss Arthur Fraser laid criminal charges against Ramaphosa for not reporting a theft of $4 million (..) from the farm and for trying to cover it up.
Crucial questions remain unanswered with Ramaphosa admitting that the robbery occurred at his farm. But while he has denied wrongdoing, he has failed to answer any relevant questions about the crime.