CAPE TOWN, SOUTH AFRICA – FEBRUARY 15: Cyril Ramaphosa is congratulated by DA leader Mmusi Maimane after being sworn in as the new president of the Republic of South Africa in Parliament on February 15, 2018 in Cape Town, South Africa. Ramaphosa was elected unchallenged, as the new president of the Republic following Jacob Zuma’s resignation. Chief Justice Mogoeng Mogoeng presided over the election. (Photo by Gallo Images / Netwerk24 / Jaco Marais)
CAPE TOWN, SOUTH AFRICA – FEBRUARY 15: Cyril Ramaphosa is congratulated by DA leader Mmusi Maimane after being sworn in as the new president of the Republic of South Africa in Parliament on February 15, 2018 in Cape Town, South Africa. Ramaphosa was elected unchallenged, as the new president of the Republic following Jacob Zuma’s resignation. Chief Justice Mogoeng Mogoeng presided over the election. (Photo by Gallo Images / Netwerk24 / Jaco Marais)
The DA have grabbed the Bosasa scandal by the scruff of its neck, and will not let it go. Mmusi Maimane has announced he and his party will picket the security company’s offices in Krugersdorp on Friday.
Cyril Ramaphosa dug himself into a hole during his last Parliamentary appearance. After denying any knowledge of a R500 000 payment Bosasa made to his son Andile, he corrected his answer one week later, acknowledging the payment actually went towards his own ANC leadership campaign.
Bosasa latest: ANC caucus defends Cyril
The deal has been described as “corrupt” and “dishonest” by opposition parties. On Thursday, ANC Chief Whip Jackson Mthembu defended Ramaphosa’s conduct during a caucus meeting. Cyril’s comrade claims there was no “deliberate intention” to mislead the public, and praised the president for correcting his mistake.
#Mthembu As Caucus, we applaud the honesty and sincerity with which the President has handled this matter by providing a correction upon having realised he had made a mistake in his oral reply to Parliament. #ANCpressor
— ANC Parliament (@ANCParliament) November 22, 2018
How much money Bosasa have received from the ANC
However, that grace does not reach across party lines. Maimane issued a communication earlier in the day lambasting both the president and Bosasa and revealed he would be leading a protest march at the latter’s business premises. The DA leader estimates the company have received R10bn from the ANC government:
“The latest admission by President Ramaphosa that Bosasa donated at least R500 000 to his campaign for the ANC Presidency is nothing short of a bribe and requires an extensive investigation.”
“Bosasa has previously funneled money to numerous ANC MPs, ministers, senior officials, and now the President and his family. The company – which has received R10 billion in government tenders and contracts – has also been found by the Special Investigating Unit (SIU) to be embroiled in fraud and corruption.”
“Bosasa money is dirty money, and the President must take full responsibility for his cosy relationship with corrupt businesses.”
Maimane will be joined by Team One SA Spokesperson on Corruption, Phumzile van Damme, Team One SA Spokesperson on State Capture, Natasha Mazzone, and DA Gauteng Provincial Leader, John Moodey. The demonstration will kick off at 10:30.
