Opposition parties in Parliament have blasted Police Minister Senzo Mchunu's decision to keep the Phala Phala report a secret, saying this is a strategic move to shield President Cyril Ramaphosa.

Mchunu revealed the news in a written reply to a parliamentary question by African Transformation Movement (ATM) leader Vuyo Zungula in February.

He said the Investigation Report has been classified as “Top Secret” and "would not be released for public consumption."

The recommendation report was referred to the SA Police Service on October 3, 2023, for implementation.

This comes after the Independent Police Investigative Directorate (IPID) investigated the actions of VIP protection officers assigned to Ramaphosa.

The officers were reportedly involved in an extensive and misdirected search in Namibia in an attempt to recover US dollars allegedly stolen from the president's farm in Limpopo in 2020.

In a statement, ATM said Mchunu's assertion that he cannot reveal the contents of this report is a disingenuous attempt to appease Ramaphosa rather than serve the interests of the South African public.

"The fact that state personnel and resources were allegedly mobilized to chase after stolen dollars from the President’s private farm raises serious questions about the misuse of state resources for personal gain.

"How can the Minister justify withholding this critical information from the public, especially when it pertains to a matter of national interest and constitutional integrity?" the party said.

ATM demanded that Mchunu immediately declassify the IPID report and provide citizens with the transparency they deserve.

The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) said this was clear that every level of governance and law enforcement has been manipulated to ensure that no action is taken against Ramaphosa, despite overwhelming evidence of wrongdoing.

The South African Reserve Bank (SARB) has cleared Ramaphosa of any wrongdoing, while the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) decided not to pursue charges against him.

"The facts remain unchanged: millions of rands in foreign currency were found hidden in furniture at the Phala Phala game farm, money that was never declared to the South African Reserve Bank (SARB) as required by law.

"The claim that this money was a "deposit" for buffalo from a Sudanese businessman, who was conveniently never able to collect the animals, was nothing more than an elaborate attempt to cover up what is, by all definitions, an act of money laundering," the EFF said.

In December 2022, the National Assembly voted to reject the ATM motion calling for the removal of the President from office.

Additionally, the House dismissed a report from the independent panel, led by retired Chief Justice Sandile Ngcobo, which suggested that President Ramaphosa may have violated the Constitution and should be held accountable for his involvement in the Phala Phala matter.

Multiple investigations have been launched to determine whether Ramaphosa committed any crimes about the Phala Phala burglary, including inquiries by the Reserve Bank and the Public Protector.

kamogelo.moichela@iol.co.za

IOL Politics