By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
Civil society organisation Defend our Democracy has called on President Cyril Ramaphosa to be forthright and sincere about the $4 million (R61.8 million) robbery at his at his Phala Phala farm in Limpopo in 2020.
Ramaphosa has so far remained mum on the details of the incident, except to say he will cooperate with the investigation by law enforcement authorities.
Defend our democracy said while Ramaphosa intends to subject himself to the African National Congress’ (ANC) Integrity Committee, and has indicated that he will follow due process in relation to the investigation by the Hawks, it believes that transparency about what had occurred is within the public’s interest.
The incident raises many unanswered questions and clarity is required about whether the law, at any point, may have been broken. We therefore call on the President to take the nation into his confidence and directly address the concerns that have been publicly raised about the reported theft.”
Defend Our Democracy has also questioned the timing of the allegations against Ramaphosa by former spy boss Arthur Fraser.
“We must question the timing and possible motives behind the opening of the case in relation to the incident, given that it comes on the eve of the final State Capture Commission report and several months before the ruling party’s elective conference.”
Several opposition parties, and even some in the ANC, have called on Ramaphosa to step aside following the explosive revelation that a large amount of foreign currency was stolen from the game farm.
However, Ramaphosa told reporters on Friday during a press conference that he would not be doing so, as he believes it would interfere with the probe.