Pandor: SA remains ‘stable democracy’ amid Phala-Phala fallout
International Relations and Cooperation (Dirco) Minister Naledi Pandor has assured international investors that South Africa remains a stable democracy despite the pressure on President Cyril Ramaphosa over the Phala Phala report.
Pandor addressed an end-of-the-year media briefing on Monday.
Her remarks come a day before MPs in the National Assembly are set to debate and vote on the section 89 report, which found the president may have violated the constitution and breached anti-corruption laws in his response to the theft of foreign currency from his farm.
Tuesday’s proceedings could see a decision to impeach the president.
"One or two colleagues have called but they don't want the minutiae of the issue. They are more interested if South Africa is stable, is there a problem we should anticipate, if there is any conflict emerging which will harm the stability," Pandor said.
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"I have assured them that even when the temperature is high in South Africa we remain a stable democracy and that we have a rule of law which needs to be exercised to its logical conclusion. So they must allow the processes to continue and not be alarmed and start calling on the private sector to withdraw investment. I don't think it's that kind of situation."
The Phala-Phala report has made damning findings against Ramaphosa.
The findings have led to calls for the president to resign, but Pandor believes he will remain in office.
"We won't have a different president in 2023. I think it will remain President Ramaphosa unless something unexpected occurs. But in my own limited analysis he will remain [resident in 2023.
"In my reaction to the report, I think it's a matter that President Ramaphosa has to deal with since he's the person that is the subject of the report and he has acted in terms of the law and constitution by following the steps of taking the report on review. "
