Ramaphosa takes note of PP Phala Phala report
Opposition parties have already indicated they will be taking the report on review.
The Presidency says they have noted the report of the acting Public Protector (PP), Kholeka Gcaleka on the Phala Phala investigation, which was released on Friday.
In it, Gcaleka clears President Cyril Ramaphosa of violating the executive ethics code in relation to the February 2020 theft of foreign currency at his private Limpopo farm.
She added that the complainant (DA leader John Steenhuisen) failed to provide evidence that the president consented to or knew about the use of state resources - the PPS in this instance - beyond its mandate.
Gcaleka has recommended that the national police commissioner acts against the head of the Presidential Security Services (PSS) Wally Rhoode within 60 days though.
"The President has always maintained that he was not party to any wrongdoing or violation of his oath of office.," says Presidential spokesperson, VIncient MAgwenya.
ALSO READ: Phala Phala: Gcaleka clears Ramaphosa of violating ethics code
Opposition parties have already indicated they will be taking the report on review.
Steenhuisen claims that it contained numerous misinterpretations of the relevant pieces of legislation.
“It is also gravely concerning to note the discrepancies between the Nkandla Report, whose interpretation of similar laws found that former President Jacob Zuma was severely compromised as President of the Republic, yet Cyril Ramaphosa is seemingly assessed by different standards.
“We will be asking our lawyers to consult the Nkandla Report for any potential legal precedent that can be used to point out the discrepancies in Advocate Gcaleka’s findings,” said Steenhuisen.
The EFF has described the report as "nonsensical and illogical" while the African Transformation Movement (ATM) has maintained its assertion that Ramaphosa was guilty of contravening the Prevention and Combating of Corrupt Activities Act and the Executive Members' Ethics Act.
“There is no denying that the president violated this provision of the Constitution, this by his own admission at an ANC gathering in Limpopo, when he told delegates that: “I’m a farmer, I am in the cattle business and the game business… I buy and I sell animals…. This that is being reported was a clear business transaction of selling animals.
“This was an admission of a crime, the president confirmed that he was actively running a business while being President of the Republic, in direct violation of the constitution. The president ought to have arrested there and then,” said ATM spokesperson Zama Ntshona.