Activist wants probe into ‘abuse’ of crime intelligence funds in Phala Phala ‘cover-up’

The president is accused of covering up the theft of a large amount of foreign currency from his private farm in Limpopo in 2020.

The theft come to light when former spy boss Arthur Fraser laid a criminal complaint against Ramaphosa, who has come under pressure from both inside and outside the ANC to come clean on the events at his farm.

The latest claims involve the abuse of crime intelligence funds and the involvement of deputy state security minister Zizi Kodwa.

It is alleged that almost R2 million a month was taken from a secret crime intelligence fund to finance the undercover operations to trace the thieves and recover the stolen money.

It is further alleged that more funds were used to send an elite special task force to guard President Ramaphosa’s private game farm.

No evidence has been provided to show that secret funds were used.

Mashukuca, who briefed the media on Friday, said his complaint was received by the Office of the Inspector General.

"We are extremely concerned that there was this mischievous abuse of these funds. I had hoped that after the (former crime intelligence boss) Richard Mdluli saga, the government would put some measures and control in place to prevent the reoccurrence of abuse of these funds. But clearly, this case shows us that that is not the case and we need to push as a society to keep on pushing for change and protection of these assets.

“We have referred our complaints to the office of the Inspector General of Intelligence, we are now awaiting an investigation. I have received confirmation that they have received this complaint and they have verified that it falls within their mandate, however, they have indicated some challenges in proceeding with the investigation due to the vacant position of the inspector general," said Mashukuca.

Parliament is yet to appoint an Inspector-General of Intelligence after the name of Reverend Frank Chikane was rejected some two months ago.

Meanwhile, National Assembly Speaker Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula has referred the Phala Phala matter to the Joint Standing Committee on Intelligence.

This follows a request from the DA for parliament to establish an ad hoc committee to investigate the robbery at President Cyril Ramaphosa's farm in 2020.

The committee will also investigate the use of crime intelligence funds and the fact that Kodwa, knew about the robbery and opted to keep the matter a secret.

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