By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
Acting Public Protector Kholeka Gcaleka will subpoena President Cyril Ramaphosa to respond to questions about the alleged cover-up of the burglary at his Limpopo game farm, Phala Phala.
Her office said on Tuesday that he did not respond to the allegations by the extended date of 18 July and instead requested a further extension, which she denied on the same day.
“The PPSA will therefore be invoking its subpoena powers…”
The Public Protector Act says she may direct anyone to submit an affidavit, appear before her to give evidence or provide any document for the purpose of conducting an investigation.
Ramaphosa meanwhile said he has all the answers to questions about the Phala Phala farm scandal, but he will not publicly address them. They are exclusively for official processes, such as law enforcement and the ANC’s Integrity Commission.
Ramaphosa dismissed allegations that he confided in his political core — one that includes intelligence deputy minister Zizi Kodwa and Eastern Cape premier Oscar Mabuyane — that he could not explain the Phala Phala saga and was willing to step down.
“I do have answers,” said Ramaphosa, as his bodyguards pushed media personnel away when he left the SACP national congress in Boksburg, Ekurhuleni.
The president told the congress he would subject himself to the investigation on Phala Phala after a criminal complaint against him by former spy chief Arthur Fraser about two months ago.
Fraser alleged Ramaphosa was involved in the cover-up of a crime after the theft of millions of dollars from his Limpopo property.
But Ramaphosa told the SACP the matter was being used to intimidate and bully him, adding that he would not cower or submit.
He further echoed SACP outgoing boss Blade Nzimande’s charge that Fraser was a proponent of a “counterrevolution” to collapse the ANC and its government.
It was for this reason, said Ramaphosa, that he would “not be distracted” from carrying out his duties to lead the country towards economic recovery.