Statement on President’s response on Phala Phala in the National Assembly

The Presidency has noted with concern claims made in the National Assembly yesterday afternoon (30 August 2022) that President Cyril Ramaphosa did not answer the question for oral reply on the robbery that occurred at his Limpopo farm in January 2020.

On a proper reading of the question, President Ramaphosa did, in fact, answer the question.

The question that was posed asked “whether …he considered it prudent to take the nation into his confidence on the serious allegations surrounding his Phala Phala farm…, by accounting to the people of South Africa and speaking on the specified issue in the National Assembly…”

The President responded that he stands ready to take the nation into his confidence and that he would do so through the due legal and Parliamentary processes.

He indicated that he has responded, and will continue to respond, to all the questions that have been put to him by the relevant authorities. He also indicated that he would cooperate with, and be fully accountable to, the Section 89 process that Parliament has initiated.

It is clear from the President’s reply that he considers it prudent to account on this matter through the due processes.

This is consistent with what the President has said from the outset that there is no basis for the claims of criminal conduct that have been made against him, and that he will provide any information that the relevant authorities require.

Below in full is the question for oral reply and the President’s response:

Question:

(1) Whether, notwithstanding the ongoing investigations by the Hawks and the Acting Public Protector, he has considered it prudent to take the nation into his confidence on the serious allegations surrounding his Phala Phala farm (details furnished), by accounting to the people of South Africa and speaking on the specified issue in the National Assembly, where the elected representatives of the people can engage him on the scandal that has divided the country and caused immeasurable harm to the reputation of the Republic;

(2) whether with the benefit of hindsight, he has found that he could have responded differently to the serious allegations surrounding him with regard to the entire saga around his Phala Phala farm?

Reply:

Honourable Members,

I know there is a great deal of interest in my answer to this question and I’d like to say that, without appearing that I do not want to answer questions, that I do not want to be accountable, I should say that as I have indicated before – in written replies to Members of this House, in the debate on the Presidency Budget Vote and in statements on various public platforms – I stand ready to cooperate with any investigations on this matter.

Investigations are ongoing by a variety of agencies and the focus that various agencies are putting on this matter demonstrates the importance of this matter and the way they are dealing with it.

I have responded, and will continue to respond, to all the questions that have been put to me by the relevant authorities.

In the course of what they are working on, the authorities have said that it is best if they deal with all these attendent matters relating to this theft that occurred at the farm, and be able to address every issue. I have been counselled and advised that it is best to address these matters when those processes have been done. I stand ready, as people have said, to take the nation into my confidence. I stand ready to do so, to give an explanation. But for me, it has been important that I should give space, stand back and allow the various agencies to deal with these matters as thoroughly as I believe they are doing.

While there are clearly individuals and organisations that seek some mileage out of this issue, the most appropriate response from my side is for the law to take its course.

It is important for me that due process is followed, including the process that is going to unfold in Parliament. I stand ready to cooperate with that process as well and will be ready to be fully accountable.

I stand here as Cyril Ramaphosa not being unwilling to be accountable. I want to be fully accountable and I am saying once again that it is important, and those who are dealing with these matters have said it is important that we be given time and space to deal with all the aspects of this matter.

I thank you.

Source: Government of South Africa