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Phala Phala: Two suspects arrested
Two suspects were arrested in connection with theft and housebreaking at President Cyril Ramaphosa’s game farm.
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The one suspect was arrested on Sunday in Rustenburg, North West and the other suspect was arrested on Monday in Bela Bela in Limpopo.
COURT APPEARANCE TODAY
The two suspects will appear in the Bela Bela magistrate’s court today on charges of burglary and theft. The incident took place in February 2020 when an undisclosed amount of cash was stolen from Ramaphosa’s home.
According to BusinessDay, the Hawks spokesperson, Col Katlego Mogale confirmed that the two suspects are aged 39 and 30 and that they were arrested by members of the national serious corruption investigation unit. Mogale said that the arrest of a third suspect is forthcoming.
ALSO READ: Phala Phala: EFF to take Reserve Bank report on review
RAMAPHOSA INVOLVED?
There was a lot of speculation around the incident with allegations coming to light that the president was involved. Times Live reported that former spy boss Arthur Fraser, laid criminal charges against Ramaphosa in June 2022 for “the theft of millions of US dollars concealed within the premises of the president’s Phala Phala farm in Waterberg by criminals”. Fraser said the president concealed the crime from authorities.
Ramaphosa’s spokesperson, Vincent Magwenya, at the time confirmed the theft but denied the president was involved. Amid the controversy, several political parties wanted Ramaphosa to step down as president.
ALSO READ: Phala Phala: Why Ramaphosa isn’t off the hook yet
ALSO READ: Phala Phala: SARB clears Ramaphosa – but also says this
WHERE DID THE MONEY COME FROM?
According to SABC News, Reserve Bank Governor Lesetja Kganyago, explained how the $580 000 ended up at Ramaphosa’s Phala Phala farm. He said that information and evidence collected revealed that the money was used as a guarantee to secure buffalos. Investigators revealed that Ramaphosa had a discussion with Phala Phala farm manager, Hendrik von Wielligh, about selling lower quality buffalo in Camp Six.
An interested buyer gave $580 000 as a security deposit to secure 20 buffalos that he was interested in buying.
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