Public Protector’s preliminary report reflects worrying misunderstanding of DA’s complaint
11 March 2023
The Democratic Alliance (DA) notes the release of the Public Protector’s preliminary report into allegations of a potential violation of the Executive Ethics Code by President Cyril Ramaphosa pertaining to an act of theft at his Phala Phala game farm in February 2020. The report was sent to us at 22:24 late last night.
Given that this preliminary report was only distributed to both the affected and implicated persons, pending the submission of the respective parties’ representations to the Public Protector, it would appear that the content of the report has been leaked.
This is highly unfortunate as the preliminary findings, which have yet to be finalised, are now being reported as truth. It is thus premature of the Presidency to dismiss the matter as the investigation is as yet unfinished.
Our initial analysis of the preliminary report is concerning.