By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
President Cyril Ramaphosa has submitted written answers to the Public Protector for the Phala Phala investigation, his spokesperson Vincent Magwenya confirmed on Friday.
Magwenya said that the threats of subpoena from the office were unnecessary.
Ramaphosa missed a deadline to answer questions related to the Public Protector’s probe into a robbery that took place at his Phala Phala farm in February 2020.
A criminal case was opened by former State Security Agency director-general Arthur Fraser, in which revelations about the burglary first surfaced.
The Public Protector is probing the ethical questions related to the incident, and Ramaphosa’s answers were expected to shed light on what he knows.
Magwenya said Ramaphosa did not deliberately avoid accountability by missing the initial deadline.
Acting Public Protector Kholeka Gcaleka has threatened to subpoena Ramaphosa to answer 31 questions about the Phala Phala robbery.
The Public Protector’s office had initially given him until 18 July to provide details about the theft of $4 million theft. Ramaphosa failed to meet the deadline and asked for an extension until 22 July.
On Friday, Corruption Watch said the Public Protector’s action to subpoena Ramaphosa is a step in the right direction as it will ensure he provides the much-awaited details.
The organisation stated that this will set the tone that even those who hold public office should be held accountable for their actions.
“The Public Protector Act makes provision for Gcaleka to direct anyone to submit an affidavit, appear before her, or provide documents for the purpose of conducting an investigation, and under the Constitution, everyone, regardless of their position, must be held accountable, said Corruption Watch.
The executive director of Corruption Watch, Karam Singh, said the president must be prepared for scrutiny as he holds the highest office in South Africa, especially at a time when the public needs and deserves answers.
“This latest development in a matter still shrouded in mystery and secrecy is very concerning, “said Singh.
The office of the public protector has since confirmed receipt of Ramaphosa’s response to the allegations of a violation of the Executive Code of Ethics in relation to the Phala-Phala robbery.
It declined to comment further.