By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
President Cyril Ramaphosa has responded to written questions from Parliament’s finance watchdog over his alleged knowledge of the abuse of state funds for ANC activities.
In the audio clip, someone who sounds like Ramaphosa can be heard admitting that he was aware that the ANC had used public funds for party purposes. The person also suggests that the funds came from the State Security Agency (SSA).
In late December, suspended ANC MP Mervyn Dirks wrote to Scopa chairperson Mkhuleko Hlengwa asking that Ramaphosa be investigated.
In his letter, Dirks proposed that Ramaphosa be summoned to the committee to explain the utterances he had seemingly made in the recording.
The committee had given Ramaphosa 10 working days to respond to the questions.
Some of the questions were about his knowledge of people who were involved in the abuse of public funds in the campaign for ANC leadership positions.
Earlier today, the Standing Committee on Public Accounts said it has received the letter from President Cyril Ramaphosa after he earlier confirmed sending it to Parliament’s finance watchdog.
Scopa chairperson Mkhuleko Hlengwa said the letter has been given to Parliament’s lawyers to advise on the way forward.
“Having studied the contents of the letter from the President, Hlengwa has referred it to the Parliamentary Legal Services to give guidance on certain aspects of the President’s response,” said Scopa.
The committee is set to discuss the letter along with the legal advice next Wednesday, 16 February.