President Cyril Ramaphosa Arthur Fraser

President-Cyril-Ramaphosa-1
Photo source: Flickr

Ramaphosa: Fraser’s criminal conduct claims have ‘no basis’

President Cyril Ramaphosa admits there was a robbery on his farm in February 2020 and says proceeds from the sale of game were stolen

President Cyril Ramaphosa Arthur Fraser

President-Cyril-Ramaphosa-1
Photo source: Flickr

President Cyril Ramaphosa has admitted through his office that there was in fact a robbery on his farm in February 2020, as former spy boss Arthur Fraser had claimed – but he says there is no merit to his claim of criminal conduct, which his case is based on.

Fraser opened a criminal case against Ramaphosa at the Rosebank Police Station in Johannesburg, claiming he intentionally declined to report the theft of $4 million dollars (R62 million) that had been hidden on his farm in Phala Phala, Limpopo, to SARS and SAPS. In addition, Fraser claims the suspects were kidnapped and interrogated before being paid off for their silence.

In a statement issued on Thursday, 2 May 2022, Ramaphosa says proceeds from the sale of game were stolen during the robbery. 

“The President was attending an African Union Summit in Addis Ababa at the time the incident occurred. On being advised of the robbery, President Ramaphosa reported the incident to the head of the Presidential Protection Unit of the South African Police Service for investigation,” said the new Presidency spokesperson Vincent Magwenya.

RAMAPHOSA READY TO COOPERATE WITH INVESTIGATION

President Cyril Ramaphosa says he remains willing to cooperate with law enforcement agencies as they investigate these matters, including those reported by Arthur Fraser.

“President Ramaphosa remains resolute in leading the fight against corruption, restoring the integrity and capability of public institutions and overcoming the legacy of state capture, and will not be deterred by disinformation campaigns”

Presidency spokesperson Vincent Magwenya

Fraser had said Ramaphosa’s actions constituted a breach of the Prevention of Organized Crime Act as well as the Prevention of Corruption Activities Act.

“I trust that the police and the prosecuting authorities will investigate this matter without fear or favour. I also trust that the president will take the nation into his confidence and accept or deny that the events I describe in my affidavit occurred on his property,” Fraser said in a statement.

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