PP given 7 days to respond to opposition parties’ Phala Phala demands

The parties are calling for the immediate release of the report on her probe into the allegations against President Cyril Ramaphosa regarding the 2020 robbery at his Phala Phala farm in Limpopo. 

Gcaleka has been given seven days from Friday to release the report in the alleged breach of the Executive Members Ethics Act (EMEA) by the president. 

If she fails to heed their demand, opposition parties say they’ll be left with no choice but to seek legal remedy. 

“We firmly advise the public protector to not aim to have a consolidated report on both the EMEA and the Public Protector Act findings because inherent in that approach are unnecessary delays…the acting public protector must arrange for an urgent meeting to report in Parliament on the progress made thus far on the entire investigation,” said African Transformation Movement (ATM) leader Vuyolwethu Zungula as he read out the memorandum of demands. 

Addressing marchers after accepting and signing the memorandum, Gcaleka insisted there was no undue political influence on her office.

“This office needs to do its work independently, without any fear and favour and without any prejudice to ensure that we produce credible reports which will stand the test of the legal process. As you are well aware, most of our reports end up in court. It is therefore important to ensure that we investigate diligently and we apply our minds so that when we release the report upon its completion, it’s a report that is implementable," she said.

Her comments come as the Section 194 impeachment inquiry into Busisiwe Mkhwebane’s fitness to hold office heard that the public protector’s office racked up a bill of more than R146 million in legal fees since 2016. 

Meanwhile, EFF leader Julius Malema reiterated calls for the public protector to release the report to support other efforts by the parties to hold Ramaphosa and the executive to account. 

“Release the report. Parliament is busy trying to make sure that Ramaphosa is held accountable, your report will be more effective to help us hold him more accountable. You will enable Parliament.”

Malema warned Gcaleka against using the office she holds to defend the interest of individuals. 

“You are still very young and have still a long, bright future. Ramaphosa will not be president of this country forever. You are defending a person who is left with a few hours in office, and you will be collateral damage.”

Opposition parties have accused Gcaleka of being in breach of the Executive Members Ethics Act which stipulates that the report should have been released within 30 days of the initial complaint. Each delivering their messages of support leaders of opposition parties including Cope, UDM, ACDP, APC, and the PAC, among others, lambasted the public protector over the 90-day delay.

Gcaleka has committed to giving the parties a written response within the stipulated time. 

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