Teachers’ union to lodge complaint against Phala Phala panel
Teachers’ union Sadtu has resolved to lay a complaint against two members of the independent panel which investigated the Phala Phala saga involving President Cyril Ramaphosa.
The South African Democratic Teachers’ Union (Sadtu) said its national executive committee decided this weekend to lodge a formal complaint against former chief justice Sandile Ngcobo, who chaired the panel, and Justice Thokozile Masipa.
The panel, in its final report to Parliament, found that there was prima facie evidence that President Cyril Ramaphosa had breached the Constitution in relation to his handling of the robbery at his Phala Phala farm.
The panel made a total of four findings against Ramaphosa in its 87-page report and conceded that some of the evidence placed before it was based on hearsay.
Sadtu believes a review of the report reveals that it is “fundamentally flawed”.
“The panel and its members made findings based on hearsay evidence in circumstances where the hearsay evidence is wholly inadmissible and the rules applicable thereto not observed,” said Sadtu in a statement.
It said as a registered trade union representing over 265 000 members, “it has a direct and substantial interest in the protection of the constitution, the upholding of human rights of all and ensuring full accountability of those who exercise public power.”
According to several media reports, President Ramaphosa was “seriously considering” taking the panel’s report on review.
In his initial, official response on the Presidency website, Ramaphosa said “the conclusions of the panel require careful reading and appropriate consideration in the interest of the stability of government and that of the country”.
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