Phala Phala: ActionSA considers legal options following Public Protector’s whitewash

30 June 2023          

ActionSA, in consultation with our legal team, is considering our legal options after acting Public Protector, Kholeka Gcaleka, cleared President Cyril Ramaphosa of any wrongdoing during the burglary on his Phala Phala farm in February 2020.

Since the allegations of President Ramaphosa’s Phala Phala farm emerged, where an undisclosed amount of United States Dollars was stuffed into a couch, ActionSA has maintained that Ramaphosa has serious questions to answer for possibly breaking South African law.

Despite the Gcaleka’s whitewash report into the Phala Phala farm saga, it remains unclear why the dollars were hidden in a couch, why they were not declared to the revenue service and why a covert operation took place to investigate the crime when a case was never opened.

ActionSA, a party committed to ethical leadership as its cornerstone, is considering our legal options to ensure that Ramaphosa is held accountable for the actions that took place on his farm.

After the Parliament failed to ensure that Ramaphosa held accountable, we believe the courts may ensure that the President does not get away with possibly breaking South African law.

ActionSA will not stand by while Adv Gcaleka uses the office of the Public Protector to be used in political games in a bid to shield the President and help protect his already severely discredited reputation. It is not lost on us that Adv Gcaleka is ingratiating herself to the President ahead of the replacement of beleaguered Public Protector, Busisiwe Mkhwebane.

It is imperative that all leaders, regardless of their position, are held accountable when faced with possibly incriminating evidence.

Issued by Herman Mashaba, ActionSA President, 30 June 2023