Embattled Ramaphosa hangs Presidential Protection Service head Rhoode out to dry

Chevon Booysen and Mayibongwe Maqhina|Published 2 years ago

Retired Chief Justice Sandile Ngcobo hands over the Section 89 panel’s three volume report to Speaker of the National Assembly, Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula. The panel probed President Cyril Ramaphosa’s Phala Phala farm scandal to determine whether he has a case to answer. Picture: Phando Jikelo/African News Agency (ANA)

Cape Town - President Cyril Ramaphosa has seemingly placed the blame on his head of Presidential Protection Service, Major-General Rhoode, regarding the reporting the robbery at his Phala Phala game farm.

In his affidavit to the Section 89 panel set up to probe whether Ramaphosa had a case to answer over the robbery, Ramaphosa said he expected Rhoode to take care of matters.

“I reported the housebreaking and theft to General Rhoode as he is responsible for ensuring my safety and security in view of the position I occupy.I expected that he would do all that is necessary and take any other steps required in response to the information I had shared with him,” said Ramaphosa.

The three-volume report was handed over by retired Chief Justice Sandile Ngcobo to the Speaker of the National Assembly, Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula and secretary Xolile George on Wednesday.

Ramaphosa confirmed to the panel that the money stolen at his farm constituted the proceeds of the sale of animals after a decision was taken to dispose of buffalo that were a financial drain on the operations of Phala Phala Wildlife.

“The view that had been taken was that they should be sold as a parcel because this made better financial sense than selling them individually.”

He said a certain Mustafa Mohamed Ibrahim Hazim, a citizen of Sudan, came to the farm to view buffalo that were for sale.

“Mr Ndlovu (the Lodge Manager) showed Mr Hazim the buffalo in Camp 6 and Mr Hazim identified those that he liked the look of. Mr Hazim made payment in cash in the sum of US$580,000 to Mr Ndlovu.”

It is not clear from his submissions whether the cash in foreign currency was declared with SARS.

President Ramaphosa confirmed to the panel that the money stolen at his farm constituted the proceeds of the sale of animals after a decision was taken to dispose of buffalo that were a financial drain on the operations of Phala Phala Wildlife. Picture: Phando Jikelo/African News Agency (ANA)

He claimed that Rhoode was made aware that, in addition to a security breach, a theft had taken place.

“It was agreed that Major-General Rhoode would confer with his superiors and revert to me on the way forward.

“I trusted that General Rhoode would take the necessary steps from a security point of view regarding my safety following the security breach at my residence, and take any other steps required to report and deal with the information I had shared with him.”

Ramaphosa only stated his side of the story after a criminal complaint was lodged against him by former State Security Director General Arthur Fraser in June this year.

African Transformation Movement (ATM) leader, Vuyolwethu Zungula, said they would make a more substantive statement after viewing the report’s findings and recommendations.

“The evidence that has been submitted clearly shows there is prime facie evidence. We hope the report will speak to those facts regarding paid work, risk of conflict of interest and unlawful instruction.”

UDM leader Bantu Holomisa said his party was “happy” with the release of the report.

“It is still too early to say what we expect but we are happy that the report is released in front of everybody, released in the way that it was - in public and in front of everybody.”

Good Party MP, Brett Herron, said his party would make an informed decision once given the chance to study the content of the report.

“The panel was required to find whether there was sufficient evidence of misconduct or serious breach of the law. I think the handover and the manner in which it was done, was a very sober occasion and that was appropriate given the gravity of the allegations and that our constitutional process has reached this stage where the President has been assessed in terms of section 89,” said Herron.

DA spokesperson, Richard Newton, said: “We will obviously need to see the full report before making any statements on the report itself, but as John Steenhuisen said during a media briefing on Monday, should the panel recommend no further action against President Ramaphosa, the party will push for the establishment of an ad hoc committee to probe the matter further.”

After receiving the report, National Assembly Speaker Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula said December 6 had been set aside for consideration of the report by the National Assembly.

“The role of the National Assembly pertaining to this report is articulated in the Rules. The House will consider the report, its findings and recommendations and adopt a resolution, through a simple majority vote, whether further action by the House is necessary or not.”

Cape Times