OPPOSITION parties in South Africa say they will use Parlaiment and the courts to hold President Cyril Ramaphosa and his administration accountable over the alleged cover-up following the robbery at his Phala Phala Farm, Limpopo.
The forum of opposition political parties held its third meeting on the 17th of August 2022 in Johannesburg.
During a joint media briefing, the forum made up of seven political parties including the EFF, IFP, ACDP, UDM, NFP, ATM, COPE and the PAC said Parliament must hold Ramaphosa accountable for violations of laws, his oath of office and the constitution in terms of what took place at Phala Phala Farm.
“Opposition parties will intensify their collective and individual court actions against the Speaker of the National Assembly and all other institutions that are attempting to suppress Parliament’s constitutional obligations to hold the Executive and Parliament accountable,” said EFF president Julius Malema.
“We call on all the people of South Africa and all formations to close ranks and unite against lawlessness and violations of South Africa’s laws and the Constitution.”
Malema said the issue of Phala Phala Farm is a priority case to the Hawks, and they have been wanting to move, but they have always been stopped by the political interference.
“We will jointly and individually submit the names of former judges to the parliamentary section 89, independent panel that will investigate the conduct of Ramaphosa,” said Malema.
“We do not need the ANC to pass a motion of no confidence. We need honourable members of Parliament who honour their oath of office.”
“The Ad-hoc Committee also gives us an opportunity as the political parties in parliament, to keep the matter alive, to also summon what we think will help Section 89.”
Malema said opposition parties will also rope in civil society organisations to develop a common approach to hold the president accountable.
“We will additionally use a broad united front to discuss and develop a common approach on so many socio-economic challenges confronting society, including the rising cost of living, corruption, unemployment, electricity crisis and rising levels of crime,” said Malema.
“The Public Protector should as a matter of urgency and as required by law, release the report on the alleged breaches in Phala Phala.”
The theft at Ramaphosa’s farm was revealed in June by the former head of the State Security Agency, Arthur Fraser, who filed charges against the president for allegedly concealing the crime.
Fraser claimed that $4 million was stolen and the suspects tortured.
Ramaphosa has refused to answer any questions about the incident, including those posed to him by MPs.
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