‘Ramaphosa must take right decision and not allow Phala Phala matter to drag on until 2024; in courts or Parliament’
ANC KwaZulu-Natal provincial secretary Bheki Mtolo said President Cyril must do the right thing and not allow the Phala Phala scandal to go to court or Parliament.
Mtolo was speaking after the adjournment of the special NEC meeting held at Nasrec, south of Johannesburg, on Friday.
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More NEC members have allegedly turned on Ramaphosa
As the pressure mounts on President Cyril Ramaphosa to consider resigning as the head of state, information coming from the NEC meeting held this afternoon suggests that more NEC members have turned on him.
Ramaphosa, who is the ANC President, did not attend this afternoon's special NEC meeting, which was largely about the Section 89 Independent Panel’s finding on whether he had a case to answer for the Phala Phala farmgate scandal.
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President Cyril Ramaphosa’s absence at NEC meeting worsens divisions
President Cyril Ramaphosa did not attend the special NEC meeting held at the Nasrec Conference Centre on Friday, where members of the ANC gathered to discuss the Section 89 independent panel report.
Reports indicate that members could not even start to discuss the matter before the meeting was adjourned on Friday.
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US SA Chamber of Commerce concerned about Phala Phala panel’s findings against Ramaphosa
The President of the South African Chamber of Commerce in the United States, Neil Diamond has expressed grave concern at the independent panel’s' findings against President Cyril Ramaphosa in the Phala Phala theft saga.
The Chamber's Neil Diamond cautioned that political stability was a core pillar of the South African economy and that a possible resignation by Ramaphosa would have devastating implications.
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Phala Phala debacle: Mantashe says it would be premature for Ramaphosa to step down
ANC Chairperson Gwede Mantashe has dismissed claims that President Cyril Ramaphosa is thinking of resigning.
On Wednesday, retired Chief Justice Sandile Ngcobo’s three-member Independent Section 89 Panel found that Ramaphosa had violated his oath of office in handling the break-in and theft of a huge amount of money in US dollars at his Phala Phala game farm.
The ANC is in meltdown – Anglican Archbishop Thabo Makgoba
Anglican Archbishop Thabo Makgoba says that the ANC seems to be in meltdown.
Makgoba said that most South Africans wanted to see their political leaders deal with problems such as loadshedding and joblessness urgently and were probably getting impatient with seeing a governing party “at war with itself”.
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Corruption Watch wants accountability on the Phala Phala farmgate matter
Corruption Watch has broken its silence on the Phala Phala saga that has placed President Cyril Ramaphosa under intense scrutiny.
The civil society organisation said that the outcome of the Section 89 independent panel’s report released on Wednesday is that President Cyril Ramaphosa has a case to answer when it comes to alleged contraventions of not only the Constitution but also the Prevention and Combating of Corrupt Activities Act 2004 (Precca) in relation to the Phala Phala matter.
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South Africa finance minister: Ramaphosa should stay in job, macro framework remains
Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana told Reuters he thought President Cyril Ramaphosa should continue with his job, doing whatever he could to defend himself, over the panel report that found evidence he may have violated the Constitution.
The inquiry centres on the theft of an estimated $4 million from the billionaire president’s farm in 2020, which only came to light in June.
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Meet the proverbial David, Vuyo Zungula, the man who slayed the Ankole
With only two seats in parliament, the African Transformation Movement (ATM) leader Vuyolwethu Zungula has become the proverbial David of the biblical David vs Goliath scripture. This follows the section 89 independent panel report which found that President Cyril Ramaphosa had a prima facie case to answer on the Phala Phala farm robbery debacle.
On social media and other platforms, many expressed that if it were not for the role played by the ATM leader, who was the first to call for the Section 89 inquiry, it would not have been instituted.
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Ramaphosa must not be allowed inside Nasrec - Niehaus
President Cyril Ramaphosa should not be allowed inside the venue of the 55th ANC National Conference, set for Nasrec from December 16–18, 2022.
These are the assertions made by the spokesperson of the disbanded Umkhonto we Sizwe Military Veterans Association (MKMVA), Carl Niehaus, following damning findings against Ramaphosa by the Section 89 independent panel.
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Video: Bhekikhaya Mabaso/African News Agency (ANA)
Former president Thabo Mbeki arrives for the ANC NEC meeting on Friday
Video: Bhekikhaya Mabaso/African News Agency (ANA)
Ramaphosa feels the heat, to face grilling on Phala Phala at Friday ANC NEC meeting
President Cyril Ramaphosa is under unprecedented pressure to resign or provide more details on why the Section 89 independent panel found that there is prima facie evidence of serious misconduct against him over the foreign currency that was held at his property.
In a day of drama on Thursday, Ramaphosa was due to hold an evening “family meeting” but this was postponed with his spokesperson Vincent Magwenya saying the president was still consulting.
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Phala Phala: Anatomy of a scandal
President Cyril Ramaphosa is facing heat following the release of a report into what transpired at his Phala Phala farm, which has since been dubbed “farmgate”.
This week, retired chief justice Sandile Ngcobo’s three-member Independent Section 89 Panel has found that President Cyril Ramaphosa had violated his oath of office in handling the break-in and theft of a huge amount of money in US$ at his Phala Phala game farm.
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Ramaphosa won’t address the nation tonight and is not panicking, says spokesperson
In a surprise move, the Presidency has announced that President Cyril Ramaphosa will not address the nation tonight, saying that the president is not in the least perturbed by mounting calls for him to step down following the release of the Phala Phala report by an independent panel on Wednesday.
“He is not panicking, that I can assure you … it's not about the fact that he lacks confidence in his own caucus,” presidential spokesperson Vincent Magwenya told the media in Cape Town on Thursday night.
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Cosatu yet to take position on Ramaphosa after release of Phala Phala report
The ANC’s alliance partner Cosatu said on Thursday it hadn’t taken a position on President Cyril Ramaphosa following the release of the Section 89 independent panel report on Phala Phala.
“This is a political issue. It needs a political process,” Cosatu’s spokesperson Sizwe Pamla said. The report found that the president had a prima facie case to answer.
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Ramaphosa reportedly tells advisers he would rather step down than be pushed out
The Star understands that President Cyril Ramaphosa has today informed his advisers that he is willing to step down rather than be pushed out.
This was after a high-level meeting with his advisers and people in Ramaphosa’s close unit. The Star also understands that Ramaphosa was disappointed by people he trusted in the ANC and felt betrayed by some members of the NEC.
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Right2Know, ActionSA join calls for Ramaphosa to resign
There are growing calls from all quarters for President Cyril Ramaphosa to step down from office and face serious allegations concerning millions of dollars found hidden on his Phala Phala farm.
This time, the freedom of speech movement Right2Know said the president has been given enough time to respond to allegations of money laundering against him. This is following the findings of an independent panel led by some of the best legal brains in the country.
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President Cyril Ramaphosa expected to resign in wake of Phala Phala Farmgate scandal
President Cyril Ramaphosa is believed to be getting ready to fall on his sword when he addresses the nation on Thursday night.
IOL has been reliably informed that Ramaphosa informed his Cabinet meeting that it would be the last time he would be meeting with them.
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Calls for Ramaphosa to step down in wake of Phala Phala Farmgate probe findings
The South African Federation of Trade Unions (Saftu) has called for President Cyril Ramaphosa to resign with immediate effect as the head of state.
The federation has also called for his arrest.
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ANC reacts to Dlamini Zuma’s call for Ramaphosa to step aside amid Phala Phala saga: ‘She does not speak on behalf of the party’
The ANC's Pule Mabe said while there was nothing wrong with members of the party's National Executive Committee speaking on the findings of the Phala Phala report, their views did not express those of the ANC.
He was speaking to eNCA following Wednesday night's interview in which Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma called for President Cyril Ramaphosa to step aside.
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‘Six feet down, in a coffin’: Zwelinzima Vavi says Phala Phala report has buried Ramaphosa
The founding general secretary of Saftu, Zwelinzima Vavi, says resignation is the only option for beleaguered President Cyril Ramaphosa following the damning report by the Section 89 Independent Panel which found that he may have a case to answer on the Phala Phala farm scandal.
“There is no other option. This independent panel’s report is just damning. It has put the president six feet down, in a coffin, and ready to be buried by his own enemies within own party.
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Another family meeting: Ramaphosa to address nation tonight
President Cyril Ramaphosa is expected to address the nation on Thursday evening after the report on Phala Phala made serious findings against him.
There have been calls from opposition parties in Parliament for Ramaphosa to resign.
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EXPLAINER: Ramaphosa’s next move on Phala Phala and his options
On Wednesday Judge Sandile Ngcobo led the Section 89 independent panel and found that President Cyril Ramaphosa may have a case to answer over the Phala Phala scandal.
The findings set the cat among pigeons and left Ramaphosa, both in government and in the ANC, scrambling to contain the fallout over the findings.
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WATCH: South Africans have their say about explosive Phala Phala report
Video: Tracey Adams/African News Agency (ANA)
What’s Ramaphosa’s next move? Mondli Gungubele says he’s not a prophet
Minister in the Presidency Mondli Gungubele says President Cyril Ramaphosa is well, following the release of the damning report of the panel chaired by retired Chief Justice Sandile Ngcobo which found that there may be a case to answer in relation to Phala Phala.
Gungubele told journalists in Cape Town that Ramaphosa is studying the detailed report, which has caused tremors on the South African political scene.
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Phala Phala: End of the road for Ramaphosa?
What the damning findings against President Cyril Ramaphosa after the Section 89 parliamentary panel found that he violated the Constitution, some analysts have weighed in on Ramaphosa’s future.
Independent political analyst and Senior lecturer at the University of Limpopo, Dr Metjie Makgoba, believes that the tone of the report suggests that the President must resign and face the rule of law.
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President Cyril Ramaphosa is expected to be grilled by NEC members at a special meeting on Thursday evening called to address the damning findings in Section 89 independent panel report on the Phala Phala scandal.
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Rand wobbles on back of report of Ramaphosa’s wrongdoing in Phala Phala matter
The rand has tanked by more than 1% to R17.38 today after closing Wednesday on a three-month high as fears that President Cyril Ramaphosa could be recalled gripped the markets and spooked investors.
This comes as an independent panel of experts appointed by Parliament and chaired by retired Chief Justice Sandile Ngcobo yesterday found that Ramaphosa may have a prima facie case to answer for not reporting millions of rand in foreign currency stolen at his Phala Phala farm in Limpopo.
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Law enforcement agencies’ role in Phala Phala under scrutiny
President Cyril Ramaphosa’s future may hang in the balance, but the role of law enforcement agencies to investigate the Phala Phala matter has raised questions.
Prof. Bheki Mngomezulu of UWC said on Thursday the delay by law enforcement agencies to investigate may have been to buy time ahead of the ANC conference this month.
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WATCH: DR NKOSAZANA DLAMINI-ZUMA CALLS ON PRESIDENT CYRIL RAMAPHOSA TO STEP ASIDE
Phala Phala scandal: Mondli Gungubele appeals for patience
Minister in the Presidency Mondli Gungubele has appealed to the South African public to exercise patience, and give embattled President Cyril Ramaphosa the opportunity to fully study the report of the panel chaired by retired Chief Justice Sandile Ngcobo which found that there may be a case to answer in relation to Phala Phala.
Addressing journalists in Western Cape, following a Cabinet meeting, Gungubele said the matter around the money at Phala Phala is a very complex issue.
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Fireworks expected at special Phala Phala NEC meeting
The Section 89 independent panel investigating the Phala Phala farm scandal, in its report released on Wednesday, found that there is prima facie evidence of serious misconduct against Ramaphosa over the foreign currency that was held at his property.
NEC member Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma, who was giving a live broadcast interview when the report was released, said that Ramaphosa should immediately step aside.
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Cyril Ramaphosa broke the law – Phala Phala Farmgate report
Retired chief justice Sandile Ngcobo’s three-member Independent Section 89 Panel has found President Cyril Ramaphosa violated his oath of office in handling the break-in and theft of a huge amount of money in US$ at his Phala Phala game farm.
In a report, which Justice Ngcobo released to Parliament Speaker Nosiviwe Maphisa-Nqakula on Wednesday morning but made public at the evening, the panel found Ramaphosa had committed four serious violations and there is prima facie evidence against him.
And now Ramaphosa is set to face the music as party members are expected to deliberate on the matter.
ANC spokesperson Pule Mabe in an interview on Thursday said the NEC would receive a report from national officials who met following the panel report.
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Panel finds Ramaphosa has a case to answer in Phala Phala Farmgate scandal
Cape Town - The panel chaired by retired Chief Justice Sandile Ngcobo has found President Cyril Ramaphosa has a case to answer in relation to Phala Phala.
In the report released on Wednesday evening the report foundRamaphosa violated a number of laws.
This now paves the way for Parliament to discuss the report on Tuesday and take a decision.
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READ: SIU silence on Phala Phala a concern, says Zungula
It is unprecedented for a president to be investigated by all investigating agencies in the country except the Special Investigating Unit (SIU) because SIU proclamations are signed by the head of state, currently President Cyril Ramaphosa.
This is according to the leader of the African Transformation Movement (ATM) Vuyo Zungula, who spoke to Independent Media on Wednesday.
Zungula’s party launched a motion of no confidence in Ramaphosa because of his involvement in the Phala Phala scandal.
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READ: Phala Phala: Much like Mogoeng, will Ngcobo show bravery?
Independent analyst Professor Sipho Seepe has raised concerns over the courage of the Section 89 Independent Panel headed by retired Chief Justice Sandile Ngcobo handed over the panel’s report into the Phala Phala #Farmgate today.
The deputy vice-chancellor of the University of Zululand said that the narrowness of the terms of reference was of concern.
“Judge Ngcobo is strict and very precise, but unlike former Chief Justice Mogoeng Mogoeng, he might not look at the bigger picture … because Ngcobo has also indicated that it is a parliamentary matter.
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READ: Ramaphosa must still account, says ATM leader Vuyo Zungula
Political parties have welcomed the handover of the Phala Phala independent report with mixed emotions.
Speaking after former Chief Justice Sandile Ngcobo handed over the report to the Speaker of Parliament Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula, United Democratic Movement leader Bantu Holomisa said the party was happy that the report would be released in detail later in the day so that members of Parliament and the public at large know what is contained in the report.
DA leader John Steenhuisen said while the report has been released, he believes the public will still be kept in the dark for most part of the day as it would come through the Announcements,Tabling and Committees (ATC) Reports.
Read the the full story here
Speaker of Parliament Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula has officially received a report from an independent Panel which was tasked to investigate the Phala Phala farmgate and will be studying it.
READ: Phala Phala report: What is the ATC and how it will be used
Speaker of Parliament Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula said the Phala Phala report, handed over to her by an independent panel on Wednesday morning, would be handed via Parliament’s ATC.
The ATC simply stands for: Announcements, Tablings and Committees.
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READ: December 6, D-Day for the Parliament debate on Phala Phala report
Mapisa-Nqakula said the Phala Phala report would be debated by Parliament on December 6 and a decision would be taken in that sitting on what to do with it.
However, the report would be released on the internal communication system of Parliament.
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READ: Phala Phala report: Panel did what it was required to do by National Assembly members, says Retired Justice Ngcobo
Retired Chief Justice Sandile Ngcobo says their job as the independent panel into the Phala Phala scandal was to interrogate the information that members of the National Assembly wanted them to.
He was reacting to questions about their fitness to probe the matter.
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WATCH: POLITICAL PARTIES REACT TO HANDOVER OF PHALA PHALA FARMGATE REPORT
She received the report from the chairperson of the report panel, retired Chief Justice Sandile Ngcobo on Wednesday morning.
WATCH: SPEAKER OF PARLIAMENT NOSIVIWE MAPISA-NQAKULA EXPLAINS INQUIRY INTO PHALA PHALA FARMGATE SCANDAL
Mapisa-Nqakula told the media on Wednesday morning that the report will be made public on December 6.
WATCH: SPEAKER OF PARLIAMENT NOSIVIWE MAPISA NQAKULA RECEIVES PHALA PHALA FARMGATE REPORT
She also said explained she had granted an extension to the panel to in order to safeguard the credibility of of the report.
The independent panel investigated the circumstances around the theft of $4 million (about R64m) from Ramaphosa’s farm.
WATCH: PREPARATIONS AHEAD OF PHALA PHALA FARMGATE REPORT HANDOVER
News about large sums of foreign currency concealed under a mattress and couches at the farm came to light early this year after former State Security Agency and Correctional Services director-general Arthur Fraser opened a criminal case against Ramaphosa at the Rosebank police station.
* Check out IOL’s special Phala Phala content hub here. *
Earlier reports by IOL and the Sunday Independent indicated that the money was allegedly stolen by five Namibians who conspired with a domestic worker on the farm in February 2020 and that Ramaphosa had allegedly failed to report the theft to the police.
In September, one of the Namibians linked to the theft, Urbanus Shaumbwako, 37, appeared in the Cape Town Regional Court following his arrest at a roadblock in October 2020.
At the time, he was found in possession of 12 automatic firearms and also faced charges of reckless driving.
WATCH: THE PRESIDENTIAL HEIST CAPTURED ON CCTV FOOTAGE
Others who were named by Fraser as having been involved in the theft include Imanuwela David, Errki Shikongo, Petrus Muhekeni and Petrus Afrikaner.
The media in Namibia reported that police in Namibia denied any involvement in helping to cover up the theft.
The panel that will be handing over the report includes Chief Justice Sandile Ngcobo, former head of the Gauteng High Court Division, Judge Thokozile Masipa and advocate Mahlape Sello.
“The purpose of the panel is to say, based on information before them, if there is prima facie evidence that warrants Parliament to look into the matter, if this is the case when the report is handed over, members of Parliament will then receive a report and will have an opportunity to look at it and go to the House and have it debated and adopted,” Mapisa Nqakula said when the members of the panel were announced.
* Check out IOL’s special Phala Phala content hub here.
On June 4, 2022, Sunday Independent reported: WATCH: President Cyril Ramaphosa’s unexplained millions stashed under mattresses at his farm
President Cyril Ramaphosa allegedly kept large sums of money in foreign currency, estimated to be $4 million, “concealed” under a mattress and couches at his farm in Bela-Bela, Limpopo.
IOL