ANC MPs who chose ‘loyalty to power’ on Phala Phala, to be sworn into Parly

ANC MPs who chose ‘loyalty to power’ on Phala Phala, to be sworn into Parly

“The ANC MPs have sworn loyal to power, to the point that everything else is secondary.”

These were the words of an analyst describing the conduct of ANC MPs who had chosen to protect President Cyril Ramaphosa at the height of the Phala Phala scandal, despite overwhelming calls for accountability, and who on Friday take an oath to uphold the Constitution and all other laws of South Africa.

The Phala Phala scandal has been described as a “ticking time bomb” hanging over Ramaphosa’s head, and criminal investigations into the matter are yet to be concluded.

Phala Phala rocked the nation in 2022 when the public first learnt about a gang that allegedly broke into Ramaphosa’s farm in Limpopo in 2020 and stole millions of dollars stashed in couches.

This came to light after former state security boss, Arthur Fraser blew the whistle, accusing Ramaphosa of being involved in the cover-up of a crime that took place on his property after a group of about five men, mostly from Namibia, allegedly working with his domestic worker, stole the millions concealed in couches in the residence on the farm.

This also subsequently led to an international manhunt to catch the men allegedly using irregular channels.

At the time Ramaphosa had conceded that the foreign currency was from the proceeds of animal sales and later a buyer was presented to the public, a Sudanese national.

Questions were raised about why Ramaphosa kept the money under furniture, and whether the cash was declared with SARS and the Reserve Bank.

Despite backlash from political parties, both entities cleared him of wrongdoing. Similarly, the public protector Kholeka Gcaleka cleared Ramaphosa of violating his oath of office by failing to declare the foreign currency.

This finding too came under scrutiny, as Gcaleka put the blame on General Wally Rhoode for misusing of SAPS resources, while the EFF at the time questioned the feasibility of Rhoode conducting a “full-on investigation into the matter without the direct oversight of the president”.

Amid uproar from opposition parties, a section 89 panel was established by then National Assembly Speaker Nosiviwe Maphisa-Nqakula.

The panel led by retired Chief Justice Sandile Ngcobo concluded that there was a prima facie case that the President may have committed a serious violation of section 34(1) of PRECCA, among others.

Forensic crime expert Calvin Rafadi said the Hawks’ findings in the matter were still outstanding and in his view what would be worrying MPs now was who would take over the police ministry and the state security cluster.

“The Hawks haven’t yet cleared the president. They are still investigating.

They are the ones who can determine after subpoenaing Home Affairs to see if this guy really travelled to South Africa, on what date, what flight number. Should it happen that their findings don’t add up with the president’s version or alibi, then he might also be charged with perjury or defeating the ends of justice.

The guy who brought the money must also prove that it was his money and he was allowed or not allowed to carry such a large amount of money.

“The position of Zizi Kodwa, who was micro-managing state security under the presidency ... them seeing him being charged and not being protected.

“It worries even other MP members that will be sworn in. That amounts to them being more worried (about) who will be leading the security cluster in Bheki Celes’ shoes. It is a very crucial role and if it is not held by some close ally to the president, it might see him being charged over Phala Phala.”

On the conduct of ANC MPs when it came to accountability on Phala Phala, Unisa lecturer in the department of Jurisprudence Mametlwe Swbei said: “Their most important loyalty is upholding their quest for power”.

“That really means going with the ANC, particularly the dominant factions that provide access to positions. They have done that under Zuma where they were calling a swimming pool, a fire pool. As part of this renewal, we were told they’re repentant, never again would violate their oath.

“Then the first instance of the newly found conscience to be tested, the first instance of trial, they failed dismally.”

“The ANC MPs swear loyalty to power to the extent that everything is secondary.

“The reality is that the ANC has degenerated so completely that even a man with Phala Phala is the most credible.

“(On) the issue of ANC and corruption... the only choice is it’s either they die a very slow agonising death of erosion of their credibility that corruption has inflicted on them or they kill the patient on the operating table,” he said.

According to policy analyst, Nkosikhulule Nyembezi, the ANC under Ramaphosa will now have to do a lot to persuade South Africans that it is at all serious about improving standards in government, “as Ramaphosa faces a high risk of a backlash vote of no confidence - conducted by secret ballot - that could cut short his presidency and quickly reorganise the newly-forged government of national unity”.

“He arrived in the Luthuli House and the Union Building advertising himself as the disinfectant who would cleanse the party and the country of the putrefaction of the Zuma years.

When he first made the State of the Nation address in front of the nation, Ramaphosa breathed pieties about restoring ‘integrity, lifestyle audits and accountability’ at ‘every level of government’.

“That promise has already been deeply sullied by his Phala Phala saga, which divided the party when it rejected the panel’s report recommending his investigation, and his indecision to remove implicated individuals from public office.

“Most South Africans are fatigued by speeches promising to eradicate corruption and view the ANC government with suspicion, with each politician appearing as an arsonist posing as a firefighter.

“As some disgraced ANC MPs shame politics by re-emerging to be sworn in, many citizens are wondering if Ramaphosa will keep his promise to clean up the house”

Cape Times