Ramaphosa EFF State Capture

President Ramaphosa receives the first part of the State Capture Report from Chief Justice Zondo – Photo: Flickr / GCIS

‘We did nothing wrong’: Presidency defends Ramaphosa’s chat with Zondo

President Ramaphosa is expected to receive the final part of Raymond Zondo’s State Capture Report on Wednesday.

Ramaphosa EFF State Capture

President Ramaphosa receives the first part of the State Capture Report from Chief Justice Zondo – Photo: Flickr / GCIS

The Presidency has issued an official statement on Cyril Ramaphosa’s chat with Chief Justice Raymond Zondo on Monday. The ANC leader, currently battling the Farmgate scandal, found himself at the centre of suspicion once again this week.

Why did Cyril Ramaphosa call Raymond Zondo?

Ramaphosa caught heat when it was revealed he had a private conversation with Raymond Zondo yesterday, at the same time the release of his State Capture Report was delayed. Cyril was accused of leaning on the top legal authority – but his spokesperson denies this is the case.

Vincent Magwenya has clarified what was up for discussion between the pair. He explained that the report IS ready to be delivered, but a series of scheduling clashes and missed deadlines have stood in the way…

  • Ramaphosa DID discuss the delayed report with Zondo on Monday morning.
  • It’s stated that Zondo said the report would be finalised on Monday evening, but not by the 18:00 handover deadline.
  • The report, it is claimed, is now ready – but won’t be handed over to the president due to a schedule conflict.
  • Ramaphosa is delivering the eulogy at the Official Funeral of King Zanozuko Sigcau on Tuesday 22 June.
  • It has been agreed to move the event to Wednesday 22 June – the original handover date in Cape Town. 

President denies ‘trying to influence’ Chief Justice

In their full statement, the presidency has rejected any notion that Ramaphosa ‘interfered with the work of the judiciary’, and confirmed that the final part of the Zondo Commission’s findings WILL be received by South Africa’s head of state on Wednesday.

“In the morning of the 20th of June 2022, President Ramaphosa and Chief Justice Zondo held a brief telephone call in which the Chief Justice offered reassurance on the delivery of the report and discussed the coordination for the handover ceremony.”

“The Commission’s team had informed the Presidency that  the report will be finalised after the sitting of the Judicial Service Commission on Monday 20 June 2022 but not in time for the promised handover at 18:00 on the same day.”

“A tentative date of Wednesday 22 June 2022 was therefore agreed due to this further delay. The Presidency therefore rejects claims that the President has in any manner interfered with the work of the commission or the judiciary.”

Presidency statement