President Cyril Ramaphosa Phala Phala

South African President Cyril Ramaphosa, delivers the Presidency Budget Vote speech, in the South African Parliament in Cape Town, on 09 June, 2022. – South African President Cyril Ramaphosa claimed he was the victim of “dirty tricks” in a damaging burglary scandal, as a rowdy opposition heckled him in parliament.
Last week Ramaphosa was accused of bribing burglars to keep quiet about a 2020 heist at his farmhouse, where they attempted to steal some $4 million in cash hidden in his furniture. Photo: RODGER BOSCH / AFP

Ramaphosa to finish answering questions in Parliament

Opposition parties in Parliament want President Cyril Ramaphosa to return within the next two weeks for the next Q and A session

President Cyril Ramaphosa Phala Phala

South African President Cyril Ramaphosa, delivers the Presidency Budget Vote speech, in the South African Parliament in Cape Town, on 09 June, 2022. – South African President Cyril Ramaphosa claimed he was the victim of “dirty tricks” in a damaging burglary scandal, as a rowdy opposition heckled him in parliament.
Last week Ramaphosa was accused of bribing burglars to keep quiet about a 2020 heist at his farmhouse, where they attempted to steal some $4 million in cash hidden in his furniture. Photo: RODGER BOSCH / AFP

Speaker of Parliament Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula intends to write to President Cyril Ramaphosa to enquire about his availability so he can finish answering questions in the National Assembly.

Ramaphosa appeared virtually earlier this week, but couldn’t complete answering all questions posed to him as MPs were not happy with his refusal to shed light on the Phala Phala farm robbery.

PARLIAMENTARIANS WANT RAMAPHOSA HELD ACCOUNTABLE

Opposition parties in Parliament, including the African Transformation Movement (ATM) want President Cyril Ramaphosa to return within the next two weeks for the next question and answer session.

Mapisa-Nqakula says she will also meet the Chief Whip of the majority party as well as the Deputy President who is the leader of government business to thrash out the matter.

“I am going to write a letter to the President to request a date so that we can complete this business. Honourable members as you are aware I cannot make determination on the availability of the President, I don’t write his diary, he will respond on his availability,” she said.

When Ramaphosa was quizzed about the farm robbery, he said the matter was still under investigation.

“That matter which relates to the one of the questions that will come later is a matter that is currently under investigation. There are various investigating arms or agencies of our country in the process of dealing with that matter and I will say a little bit more about that later when the question properly arises,” he said.

BACKGROUND: Back in June, former spy boss Arthur Fraser laid criminal charges against Ramaphosa, claiming he concealed the theft of R62 million that had been kept on his farm in Phala Phala, Limpopo. He also alleges that the suspects were kidnapped and interrogated, before being offered money for their silence. Ramaphosa has admitted there was a robbery on his property, but denies being criminally liable and says the monies stolen were proceeds from the sale of cattle on his farm.

ALSO READ