Ramaphosa STIL claims innocence amid farm burglary charges

Ramaphosa STIL claims innocence amid farm burglary charges. Here he is with his wife. Photo: Studgamebreeders

Ramaphosa STILL claims innocence amid farm burglary charges

President Cyril Ramaphosa insisted on Sunday afternoon that he never has and will never steal from taxpayers’ money.

Ramaphosa STIL claims innocence amid farm burglary charges

Ramaphosa STIL claims innocence amid farm burglary charges. Here he is with his wife. Photo: Studgamebreeders

President Cyril Ramaphosa insisted on Sunday that the money stolen from his farm was not proceeds of crime. 

RAMAPHOSA SAID HE HAS AND WILL NEVER STEAL TAXPAYER’S MONEY

He said he never has and will never steal from taxpayers’ money.

“I never have and will never steal from taxpayers’ money,” said Ramaphosa at the close of the ANC Limpopo conference.

He furthermore said he wants to reaffirm he was not involved in any criminal conduct. 

“I want to reaffirm that I was not involved in any criminal conduct and once again. I pledge my full cooperation with any form of investigation, but, due to the investigation, I will not be able to engage deeply or further in the matter I will let the due process to take its due cause.

“I am in the cattle business and in the game business, business interests that have been declared in Parliament.”

Cyril Ramaphosa

CRIMINAL CHARGES LAID AGAINST RAMAPHOSA

This comes after former spy boss Arthur Fraser said he laid criminal charges against Ramaphosa in a media statement on 1 June.

Ramaphosa STIL claims innocence amid farm burglary charges
President Cyril Ramaphosa participates virtually in the 35th Ordinary Session of the Assembly of the Heads of State and Government of the African Union (AU) taking place from 05-06 February 2022 in Addis Ababa – Photo: GCIS / Flickr

Fraser alleged that more than four million US dollars were stolen from Ramaphosa’s Phala Phala farm in Waterberg, Limpopo, in February 2020.

The burglary was allegedly perpetrated by criminals who colluded with the President’s domestic worker.

Fraser accused Ramaphosa of concealing the crime from the South African Police Service (SAPS), defeating the ends of justice, kidnapping suspects, interrogating them on his property, and bribery.

“The details of the charges and the supporting evidence, including photographs, bank accounts, video footage, and names, are contained in my statement filed with the Rosebank Police Station,” said Fraser, who is said to be a staunch supporter of former President Jacob Zuma.

RAMAPHOSA WAS ACCUSED OF CONCEALING THE CRIME

Ramaphosa has made it his mission to deny the allegations. 

ALSO READ: Ramaphosa: Fraser’s criminal conduct claims have ‘no basis’

On Saturday, the Presidency released its second statement about the criminal complaint brought against Ramaphosa on Saturday, 4 June. 

In this statement, Ramaphosa said he could not divulge more details about the allegations because of the possible investigation.

“The President was attending an African Union Summit in Addis Ababa at the time the incident occurred. On being advised of the robbery, President Ramaphosa reported the incident to the head of the Presidential Protection Unit of the South African Police Service for investigation.”

Vincent Magwenya.

Ramaphosa indicated that he is ready to cooperate with any law enforcement investigation into the matter.

HE IS READY TO COOPERATE WITH ANY LAW ENFORCEMENT INVESTIGATION

Earlier this week, the Presidency confirmed that a robbery took place at Ramaphosa’s Limpopo farm on or about 9 February 2020. The money stolen was the proceeds from the sale of game, said spokesperson Vincent Magwenya.

On Saturday, 4 June, Ramaphosa said he acknowledges the public interest and concern over the criminal allegations made against him, however, he remains “firmly focused on the task of rebuilding the economy and the country” – he said something to that effect in the first statement as well.

Ramaphosa reaffirmed his willingness to cooperate with any police investigation and stated he was not involved in any criminal conduct.

“Due to the possible investigation, The Presidency will not be in a position to engage further on the detail of the matters, and urges that due process be allowed to take its course,” said Magwenya.

Magwenya added that Ramaphosa is committed to fighting corruption and helping law enforcement agencies improve their service and response to public needs.

MMUSI MAIMANE URGED PRESIDENT TO SHOW HIS BOOKS TO THE NATION

“He looks forward to The Presidency Budget Vote speech, which will be an opportunity for him to update the nation on the key priorities he outlined in his State of the Nation Address,” concluded the spokesperson.

Meanwhile, former DA leader, Mmusi Maimane took to social media to urge Ramaphosa to show the nation his books.

 “No one said you stole the money. We want to understand:

  • 1. Was all hunting on your farm legal? 
  • 2. How much money is being kept in your sofas and mattresses? 
  • 3. Was all of this money declared? 
  • 4. Did your customers declare?”