Ramaphosa must step down after damning Phala Phala report

1 December 2022

The findings of the Section 89 panel of inquiry into the Phala Phala matter, that there is sufficient prima facie evidence to impeach President Cyril Ramaphosa, leave him with no other choice but to step down immediately.

The findings leave no room for doubt that various criminal offences were possibly committed, and it brings into disrepute both the Office of the Presidency and the office of President.

According to the independent panel, the matter is "serious" and may also constitute a violation of Section 96 of the Constitution, which deals with the conduct of Cabinet members and ministers.

The questions raised and the panel's findings are in line with what the FF Plus and other opposition parties have been saying all along about the obvious irregularities that transpired.

Some of the irregularities that the panel pointed out are:

- Why was the theft not reported according to normal procedure?

- The amount that was stolen does not correspond to the amount indicated by the President, and could possibly be twice as much.

- There are serious allegations of torture and bribery to keep people quiet.

The panel found, furthermore, that there was apparently a "deliberate effort" to prevent the crime that was committed at Phala Phala from being openly investigated.

Parliament's National Assembly (NA) must decide on Tuesday whether it will accept the report and take further steps by launching a Section 89 investigation.

If the report is not adopted with a majority vote, it will mean that the ANC, which has the majority in the NA, is deliberately and directly undermining South Africa's constitutional democracy.

The panel's findings raise the question of whether President Ramaphosa's conduct is really any different from his predecessor's, former President Jacob Zuma, when it comes to being open and honest with the people of South Africa.

Issued by Pieter Groenewald, FF Plus leader, 1 December 2022