Phala Phala: Public Protector to send Fraser additional questions after 'brief interview'

The public protector is investigating the theft of a large amount of foreign currency at President Cyril Ramaphosa's Phala Phala farm in 2020.

Fraser opened a criminal complaint against Ramaphosa in June, accusing him of kidnapping, bribery, money laundering, and concealing a crime following the theft of a large amount of foreign currency from his private property.  

Ramaphosa has denied any criminal wrongdoing and pledged to fully cooperate with the investigation processes.  

The public protector's office has been under pressure from the public and opposition parties to release the findings of the investigation around the Phala Phala incident.

But Fraser, who is at the centre of the case, was only interviewed a week ago by the Chapter 9 institution.

In a letter sent to the public protector's office Fraser's lawyer, Eric Mabuza, confirmed that the office has set a deadline of Wednesday to send additional questions. 

Mabuza says the office asked for a postponement on Thursday when Fraser presented himself for an interview.

"Mr Fraser presented himself for the interview on Thursday 8 September 2022, as per your letter dated 31 August 2021. He was accompanied and assisted by his legal representatives. After some brief interview, you requested that it (the interview) be adjourned or postponed so that your office could formulate written questions for Mr Fraser.

You undertook to submit the questions to Mr Fraser by no later than Wednesday 14 September 2022.

You also undertook to collect a complete copy of the statement he submitted at Rosebank Police Station from our office on Monday 12 September 2022, " reads the letter.

Meanwhile, the opposition parties have accused the public protector's office of dragging its feet in finalising the report on the Phala Phala saga.

The EFF, ACDP, UDM, ATM, COPE and PAC marched to the office on Friday to demand the release of the report.

 The parties have vowed to intensify individual and joint efforts to ensure that Ramaphosa is held accountable over the Phala Phala matter.

At the same time, the National Assembly Speaker Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula is expected to announce the independent panel meant to investigate the matter before the end of this month.

The panel will decide whether Ramaphosa will be subjected to a process that could lead to his removal from office.

Section 89 of the Constitution provides for the National Assembly to remove a president from office on the grounds of either, serious violation of the Constitution or the law, serious misconduct, or an inability to perform the functions of the office.

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