Parliament CLEARS Kodwa of alleged Phala Phala cover-up

Deputy State Security Minister Zizi Kodwa has been cleared of being involved in an alleged cover-up of the robbery at President Cyril Ramaphosa’s Phala Phala farm.

The Committee cites ‘insufficient evidence’

On Tuesday, 13 September, Parliament’s Joint Standing Committee on Intelligence stated that there was no evidence that crime intelligence funds were used to track down the suspects following the robbery. They also cleared Kodwa of allegations that he was involved in a cover-up.

The Joint Standing Committee on Intelligence finalised its report for tabling in the National Assembly. This was after Speaker Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula requested an investigation into these specific allegations.

Kodwa and National Police Commissioner Fannie Masemola were interviewed by the committee before they concluded that there was insufficient evidence to prove the allegations that were levelled.

Kodwa was previously accused of accompanying the head of the Presidential Protection Unit to Namibia in an attempt to pursue the suspects. EWN reports that the Deputy State Security Minister denied these allegations.

DA responds to the decision

Democratic Alliance (DA) Chief Whip Siviwe Gwarube released a statement expressing her distaste for the decision to clear Kodwa’s name. Gwarube stated that an ad hoc committee was needed.

“We need to ensure that this scandal is covered on all levels and all state institutions are investigated. An ad hoc committee into this matter would be able to obtain the evidence that any other parliamentary bodies need to act on this case. Additionally, it would be done in an open and transparent fashion as opposed to any work done by the JSCI,”

said Gwarube.

Farmgate plot thickens: Did Zizi Kodwa COVER-UP Ramaphosa robbery?

Previously, The South African reported that Zizi Kodwa has become the latest high-profile ANC member to get dragged into the Farmgate controversy after Namibian officials allegedly accused him of keeping quiet about the robbery at President Ramaphosa’s Phala Phala property in 2020. Burglars discovered a large concealment of US dollars at the property, worth up to $4 million.

There was then an attempt to spend the money quickly, so it couldn’t be traced back. However, one suspect ended up getting caught by police over the border. David Imanuwela was nabbed in Windhoek, in possession of $100 bills, a new Rolex watch, and other items that raised suspicion. It was soon revealed that the suspect had been part of an operation targeting the South African president. But Cyril himself DID NOT report the crime.

His silence, coupled with concerns that this cash stash was not declared to SARS, has put the ANC leader on the ropes – and he may soon be joined by Deputy Minister for the State Security Agency, Zizi Kodwa. Read the full story here.