SACC calls for ‘sober deliberations’ as ANC NEC meets to discuss Phala Phala
The South African Council of Churches (SACC) believes the report of the independent panel into Phala Phala is a watershed moment for South Africa’s constitutional democracy.
The remarks come as the ANC’s national executive committee prepares to meet on Monday to discuss Ramaphosa's fate after a parliamentary panel's report last week said he might have acted illegally in covering up a burglary at his farm.
Despite deep divisions inside the NEC, the majority is reported to be backing the president to stay on and fight to clear his name.
Ramaphosa has been under fire since June, when a former spy boss Arthur Fraser filed a complaint with the police alleging that the president had hidden a February 2020 burglary at his Phala Phala Farm from the authorities.
In a statement, the SACC urged the party to conduct Monday’s meeting “sober minded”.
"We are aware of the governing party’s national executive committee meeting today and would urge the party to debate these matters soberly, listening to one another in the national interests, without regarding each other just from a factional viewpoint.
"Furthermore, we need the investigations of the justice system, the SARS investigations, and the parliamentary process to be conducted satisfactorily without undue delay. An extended process will undermine the moral and ethical authority of the President, and place in a state of limbo the country, its economy, the governmental processes, and many of its pressing and urgent challenges".
Last week, some preesure emanated from some quarters for Ramaphosa to quit or be forced from office over what has become known as the Phala Phala affair.
The SACC said it’s important for the ANC to also allow Parliament to do its work and investigate the saga.
"This is an important consideration because the parliamentary system will involve due processes that include a Parliamentary Impeachment Committee, wherein proper evidence would be led.
"The wider powers of the parliamentary committee to investigate this matter more deliberately where the president can defend himself, will hopefully, bring in the evidence that may have been gathered by SARS, and other relevant investigating institutions."
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