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President Ramaphosa to make announcement on Phala Phala 

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The President Cyril Ramaphosa is giving consideration to the Phala Phala report and an announcement will be made in due course,” Spokesperson Vincent Magwenya said on Thursday.

The Democratic Alliance (DA) Federal Leader John Steenhuisen said his party will file a motion in the National Assembly for the dissolution of Parliament, and for the country to go for early national elections.

“Section 50(1) of the Constitution makes provision for precisely the scenario we’ve ended up with today, where the President and his government have lost the mandate and legitimacy to govern, and a new mandate must be obtained from the people.”

“I will table this Motion in the National Assembly, and I will call on all members of the House, regardless of party or affiliation, to support it so that we can urgently close this chapter of corruption and get back to dealing with our country’s many challenges, Steenhuisen said. 

The African National Congress (ANC) National Executive Committee (NEC) is meeting tonight to deliberate on the matter. 

ANC Spokesperson Pule Mabe said only members who are criminally charged in a court of law will be expected to step aside. 

ANC NEC member Dr. Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma said President Ramaphosa should step aside as both leader of the country and the ANC. 

Deputy President David Mabuza, in his capacity as the Chairperson of South African National AIDS Council (SANAC), will no longer deliver the main address at the World AIDS Day commemoration event today. 

“The Deputy President will be tending to his responsibilities as the Leader of Government Business in Parliament,” Presidency said, adding that President Ramaphosa will no longer attend the question and answer session at the National Council of Provinces. 

Ramaphosa remained defiant on Wednesday night amid growing calls for him to resign over the Phala Phala forex scandal.

This after a damning Section 89 panel report which found that Ramaphosa may have committed a serious violation of anti-corruption laws and the Constitution.

The panel’s report presents a massive headache for the ANC as it heads to an elective conference in December and crucial national elections in 2024.

Ramaphosa reiterated the statement he made in his submission to the independent panel: “I have endeavored, throughout my tenure as President, not only to abide by my oath but to set an example of respect for the Constitution, for its institutions, for due process and the law. I categorically deny that I have violated this oath in any way, and I similarly deny that I am guilty of any of the allegations made against me.”

But according to a report by the panel of legal experts, chaired by retired Chief Justice Sandile Ngcobo, Ramaphosa has a case to answer for abusing his position as the Head of State.

“Why was the house breaking and theft not reported in terms of section 34 (1) of PRECCA (Prevention and Combating of Corrupt Activities Act) or to any other police officer for investigation,” the panel asks.

“Why did the South Africa police request the Namibian police requested to handle the matter with “with discretion.”

“The President abused his position as Head of State to have the matter investigated and seeking the assistance of the Namibian President to apprehend a suspect.”

Phala Phala: Evidence shows Ramaphosa violated Constitution, broke anti-corruption laws

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