President Cyril Ramaphosa, Phala Phala farm, the investigation into Phala Phala theft, Phala Phala farm, National Assembly, no bias, President denies bias in Phala Phala investigations

President Cyril Ramaphosa says there’s been no bias against him in the Phala Phala investigations. Image: @PresidencyZA / Twitter

Ramaphosa denies knowing ‘nephew’ who bagged R400m tender

“I don’t even know this gentleman,” President Cyril Ramaphosa said to DA leader John Steenhuisen in Parliament on Thursday

President Cyril Ramaphosa, Phala Phala farm, the investigation into Phala Phala theft, Phala Phala farm, National Assembly, no bias, President denies bias in Phala Phala investigations

President Cyril Ramaphosa says there’s been no bias against him in the Phala Phala investigations. Image: @PresidencyZA / Twitter

President Cyril Ramaphosa says he doesn’t know Hangwani Maumela, his alleged nephew who scored contracts worth a whopping R381 million in the past three years from public hospitals across Gauteng.

Ramaphosa appeared in the National Assembly on Thursday, 3 November 2022, where he answered questions from MPs.

It was Gauteng Health MEC Nomantu Nkomo-Ralehoko, who made the revelation in a written reply to questions by the DA’s Gauteng health spokesperson Jack Bloom in the provincial legislature.

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DA leader John Steenhuisen mentioned President Cyril Ramaphosa’s nephew in a question about broad-based black economic empowerment (BBBEE) schemes and corruption.

“The Zondo Commission showed that BBBEE has been central to corruption in South Africa. Whether it is the R14 billion PPE corruption in Covid-19 or the billions stolen at Eskom. A recent example, one of your own nephew’s companies scored R381 million from Gauteng hospitals. You are right. It does not benefit the majority. It only benefits ANC-connected cronies,” Steenhuisen said.

Ramaphosa responded, saying in part: “You keep saying, my nephew. I don’t even know this gentleman. So, let’s not even get there. I don’t know him.”

Ramaphosa’s office has previously denied he was involved with Maumela in anyway, but Bloom disputes this.

“The relationship is there. He’s a nephew by President Ramaphosa’s first wife but there is another connection according to News24 and that’s between Mr Maumela and Mr Bejani Chaukewho is the president’s chief of staff,” he is quoted as having told EWN.