Cape Town - President Cyril Ramaphosa appears to have been shifting blame to his head of security Wally Rhoode for failing to report the theft of millions of dollars hidden in the furniture at his Phala Phala game farm in Limpopo.
Ramaphosa was in the hot seat answering questions in the National Assembly on Thursday, where he denied that there was any form of money laundering linked to the theft.
He has been under fire since it came to light that he apparently tried to conceal the theft from his farm in Limpopo two years ago, where millions of dollars were stolen.
While no police case was opened, Ramaphosa maintained that he had informed Rhoode about the break-in, where the money he claims was from the sale of animals was stolen.
He has not provided an explanation of why so much cash between $4m and $8m was not banked, and is being investigated to establish whether the foreign currency was declared Ramaphosa’s woes began when former State Security Agency boss Arthur Fraser’s affidavit lifted the lid on the theft, claiming five suspects, mostly Namibian nationals, were allegedly traced using a bogus drug case and located in Milnerton before they were kidnapped, tortured and apparently bribed for their silence.
Fraser filed a criminal complaint against Ramaphosa, also alleging money laundering.
He said the cash found on Ramaphosa’s farm was apparently never declared to the country’s financial regulators.
“I have admitted that there was a theft at the farm and I reported that to a general of the SAPS, who later informed me that he had reported the matter to another general. That matter is processing within the Police Service,” Ramaphosa said.
EFF leader Julius Malema told Ramaphosa that he could not continue hiding behind his claim that the crime was reported to a police general when he knew the procedure was that it should be reported to the nearest police station.
Ramaphosa denied Malema’s accusation that he abused his powers for his personal interest.
He, however, acknowledged there was a great deal of interest in the matter, and it may appear that he did not want to be accountable.
“I have responded to the various questions that have been raised and will continue to respond to all questions that have been put to me by the relevant authorities.
I’ve been counselled and advised that it is best to address this matter when those processes have been done,” he said.
“I’d like to say that I stand ready, as people have said, to take the nation into its confidence. I stand ready to do so; to give an explanation. However, for me it has been important that this matter, having occurred, that I should give space, stand back and allow the various agencies to deal with this matter as thoroughly as I believe they are doing.
“Now clearly there are individuals and organisations that seek some mileage out of this issue and the most appropriate response from my side is for the law to take its own course.
It is important for me that due process is followed, including the process that is going to unfold in Parliament, and I’d like to say that I stand ready to co-operate with that process as well, and will be ready to be fully accountable. So, I stand here as Cyril Ramaphosa, not unwilling to be accountable. I want to be fully accountable,” he said.
While Ramaphosa made reference to Sars having “teeth that bite”, DA leader John Steenhuisen asked if the focus should not be on strengthening existing laws, making reference to people who may have money stashed under mattresses. “Should you not be setting an example in this regard?” he asked.
Ramaphosa maintained the money was from the proceeds of game sales and that along with his managers, they had made disclosures to the South African Reserve Bank.
“I’d like to leave it to the South African Reserve Bank to make their own conclusions on this matter, and their own determination. I have co-operated fully.”
Political analyst Professor Sipho Seepe said: “If he does not have anything to hide, he can simply state the truth.
The truth is not going to jeopardise any investigation. The investigations can continue and confirm his statements to Parliament.”
Cape Times