Presidency rejects suggestion that Deputy President Ramaphosa evaded answering questions on Sudanese President Omar Al Bashir

18 June 2015

The Presidency rejects malicious media suggestions that Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa evaded answering questions in the NCOP on Wednesday 17 June 2015 on the recent attendance of the African Union Summit by Sudanese President Omar Al Bashir.

When the matter of President Al Bashir was raised during question time, NCOP Chairperson Ms Thandi Modise ruled that the matter was still before the courts and that an investigation was underway into the circumstances of President Al Bashir’s departure from South Africa. The Chairperson ruled that the question could therefore not be put to Deputy President Ramaphosa.

Following this ruling, there was no expectation for Deputy President Ramaphosa to deal with the matter any further. Accordingly, suggestions in some media that Deputy President had ‘’evaded” or “dodged’’ answering questions on President Al Bashir are baseless, malicious, misleading. It is hard to understand that some sections of the media could blatantly misrepresent a straightforward ruling by the presiding officer in an open session of Parliament. Media owe it to the public to tell the truth.

Deputy President Ramaphosa comprehensively responded to all questions on the official order paper of the day, including follow up questions allowed in terms of rules and procedures of the NCOP.

Statement issued by Ronnie Mamoepa, The Presidency, June 18 2015