Ramaphosa makes submission to Phala Phala inquiry, remains firm he’s innocent

Ramaphosa had until Sunday to submit his submissions to the section 89 parliamentary panel.

The panel is tasked with investigating whether there is prima facie evidence that Ramaphosa had violated his oath of office during and following the robbery at Phala Phala in Limpopo.

Earlier this year former spy boss Arthur Fraser accused Ramaphosa of attempting to conceal the 2020 robbery in which millions worth of foreign currency were stolen.  It further emerged the President had hidden the money in furniture at his farmhouse and allegedly failed to declare it. 

Ramaphosa claims the money was the proceeds from the sale of game, and that he reported the crime to the head of the police's VIP protection unit for investigation.  

If the panel rules in the affirmative, a debate will have to be tabled which could be followed by impeachment proceedings.

The motion was brought forward by the African Transformation Movement (ATM).

“President Ramaphosa categorically denies that he violated this oath in any way and denies that he is guilty of any of the allegations made against him,” read a statement published by the Office of the Presidency on Monday.

Meanwhile, political analyst Levy Ndou says the committee should be given space to do their work without any form of pressure and interference.

"What we should look out for is that all of us should give that committee sufficient space and comfort to do their work without any form of pressure and any form of interference and what then should happen is that the committee has to look at submissions from other sectors and the submissions from Ramaphosa himself and then take a decision which is based on facts which will not favour any of the groups that made submissions but which must be in the best interest of fairness and justice."

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