As anticipated, the finances vote delivered by President Cyril Ramaphosa in Parliament on Thursday was overshadowed by the revelations of the $4 million allegedly stolen on the president’s Phala Phala farm in Limpopo, the Citizen reported final week.
Following his speech, opposition events used the time to debate his finances speech to ask Ramaphosa to “come clear” concerning the occasions surrounding the massive sum of cash he stored on his Phala Phala farm, and why he had not reported the theft to the police.
This all turned public after former spy boss Arthur Fraser requested the police to analyze Ramaphosa, Presidential Safety Unit head Main-Normal Wally Rhoode and members of crime intelligence for cash laundering, performing in contravention of the Prevention of Organised Crime Act and corruption, as reported by varied media homes.
I attended the media briefing on Friday, which began two hours late. President Ramaphosa regarded drained and hopeless.
He was hammered with questions principally centered on the hundreds of thousands stolen on his farm, reminiscent of “Will you step down? Are you involved about your legacy as being seen as a cash launderer, a assassin?” And lots of extra.
Truth is that the theft happened in 2020, in keeping with Fraser. My query is why on earth Mr President, did you not financial institution the cash?
As a businessman, certainly you might be conscious that residents should change overseas foreign money inside 30 days of arrival in South Africa – a Reserve Financial institution rule.
Why then are you able to, as president, assume you’ll be able to maintain hundreds of thousands of {dollars} in your farm so long as you need? Don’t you respect the foundations of the Sarb?
So far as I do know you financial institution with First Nationwide Financial institution (FNB). Do you assume they may droop or shut your checking account based mostly on “damaging publicity within the media” as quite a lot of banks have achieved to the Sekunjalo Group?
Are you not a reputational threat to your banker(s)?
So far as I do know, neither FNB, Treasury or Sars got here out with a press release, but Mr Ramaphosa, you bragged concerning the billions of investments SA obtained on the so-called President’s Funding Convention(s).
Do you assume, with this excessive worldwide scandal that you’re concerned in, that any world (and even native) investor would belief you and put money into South Africa? To create the roles SA desperately wants?
From the CR17 Marketing campaign, bribes paid by Glencore, the Marikana slaughter, and now allegations that you just by no means declared the cash obtained by, nonetheless unknown consumers, of your “sport”.
It’s worthwhile to communicate out, and don’t conceal behind “an investigation”. If this was another citizen, they’d have been arrested or as you probably did to the general public protector, and suspended with quick impact.
BUSINESS REPORT
