WATCH: Lamola warns against political pressure on authorities in Phala Phala case

Lamola and other ministers who serve in the Peace and Security were responding to questions in the National Assembly (NA) on Wednesday. 

In June former spy boss Arthur Fraser opened a criminal complaint against Ramaphosa, accusing him of kidnapping, bribery, money laundering, and concealing a crime following the theft of a large amount of foreign currency from his private property.  

Ramaphosa has denied any wrongdoing and pledged to fully cooperate with the investigation processes. 

Lamola told MPs that the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) has not initiated any criminal proceedings against anyone involved in the theft.  

“The relevant director of the public prosecution's office will commence assessing the evidence once the case docket is finally handed over by the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation,” he said.  

“The matter is still under investigation; it might go to the NPA depending on the outcome of the investigation and it may also go to court depending on the outcome. It will be for the court to judge the processes. 

Lamola pleaded that there be no political pressure on authorities investigating the matter. 

"It is criminality to interfere with the work of the NPA, it a crime which carries a sentence of 10 years if there is any form of interference from anyone, so the role of the Department of Justice in this regard is to allow the NPA in terms of the processes of budget and so forth, but the department doesn't prosecute, neither does the minister," he said.  

Police Minister Bheki Cele told MPs that SAPS was never involved in the investigation and that the matter is solely being investigated by the Hawks. 

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