UNITED Democratic Movement (UDM) leader, Bantu Holomisa, has written to the Speaker of the National Assembly, Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula, demanding she institute a preliminary investigation into the theft of over R60 million at President Cyril Ramaphosa’s farm in Limpopo.
This comes after former spy boss Arthur Fraser revealed in an affidavit that criminals broke into a farm in Limpopo in February 2020 to steal more than $4m.
The suspects were then detained and interrogated on the property and paid thousands of rands to keep quiet about what had happened, the statement alleges.
Fraser is seen by some as a close ally of former President Jacob Zuma.
In his letter to the Speaker of Parliament, Holomisa called on Ramaphosa to take a sabbatical leave until August 2022 pending a parliamentary inquiry into his theft at his farm.
He also called on Parliament to appoint an Acting President.
Holomisa added on Monday that Parliament must appoint two or three retired Constitutional Court judges to do a preliminary investigation while the president goes on a short sabbatical.
He said the inquiry should include terms of reference that would spell out if the South African Revenue Services (SARS) and the Reserve Bank (SARB) had any knowledge of the matter.
“These allegations have been greatly destructive of the country’s image, both at home and abroad. And it is likely to affect investor confidence negatively; especially given that President Ramaphosa has acted as a champion of good governance and now this bomb has burst over his very own head,” said Holomisa.
“Given the existing dynamics with the alleged involvement of the police and the State Security Agency, but in main that Parliament has a responsibility to make oversight over the executive, the UDM would suggest that President Ramaphosa take sabbatical leave, until mid-August 2022.”
“Then, that Parliament and the acting President may institute a preliminary investigation into the entire matter with terms of reference that would include if the South African Revenue Services and the Reserve Bank had any knowledge of the matter,” Holomisa wrote to Mapisa-Nqakula.
Closing the elective conference of the ANC in Limpopo on Sunday, Ramaphosa denied Fraser’s allegations, saying the matter was part of a ‘bigger’ political agenda.
He, however, said that he “stands ready to cooperate with any law enforcement investigation of these matters”.
“I acknowledge there is much public interest and concern about claims that have been made in a criminal complaint against me. I remain fully focused on the tasks that I have been given by the people of our country,” said Ramaphosa.
“I want to reaffirm I was not involved in any criminal conduct. I pledge my full co-operation to any investigation,” Ramaphosa told party delegates.
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