Ramaphosa weighing his options on Phala Phala, an announcement ‘imminent’
President Cyril Ramaphosa's spokesperson, Vincent Magwenya says the head of state is still engaging various stakeholders on the final report on the cover-up of a robbery that took place at his Phala Phala farm in 2020.
Magwenya addressed the media in Cape Town on Thursday evening to provide clarity on Ramaphosa's way forward with the report.
Ramaphosa is fighting for his political future after an independent parliamentary panel concluded that he may be implicated in serious violations of the constitution and anti-corruption laws.
The President went to ground on Thursday, skipping his appearance at the National Council of Provinces (NCOP) for a question-and-answer session.
Magwenya also cancelled a media briefing on the President’s public programme for the week.
Amid intense speculation on Ramaphosa’s next move, Deputy President David Mabuza cancelled his address at a World Aids Day commemoration event in Bloemfontein.
The ANC's national executive committee (NEC) was scheduled to meet on Thursday evening to discuss the scathing report and draft a way forward, but that meeting has seen been moved to Friday morning.
Magwenya said on Thursday evening Ramaphosa had to take time to "carefully consider the contents of the report and the best course of action to be taken."
He noted that an announcement by the president will only be made after consultations with various stakeholders.
"The president appreciates the urgency of the Phala Phala matter, what it means for the country, and the stability of the government and as a result, he is still processing the report but in that exercise, he is also engaging a number of role players and stakeholders across the governing party, different levels of the governing party, different levels of the alliance and he is engaging a broad range of stakeholders and this is in appreciation of the enormity of the matter, we are in the unprecedented and extraordinary moment as a constitutional democracy,” he said.
“Whatever decision the President makes, that decision has to be informed by the best interest of the country and that decision cannot be rushed.”
“An announcement is imminent because the president will need to indicate to the country as to the cause of action he will take going forward," said Magwenya.
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