The panel instituted to probe President Cyril Ramaphosa’s Phala Phala farm scandal has submitted its report while also noting, through its chair, retired Chief Justice Sandile Ngcobo, that it was done without fear or favour.
The Phala Phala farm scandal was one of the biggest controversies this year, and at the height of it, it appeared like President Ramaphosa was going to lose his job. It all started after outed police chief and Zuma Loyalist Arthur Fraser squealed on the president.
According to Fraser, a robbery had taken place at the President’s Phala Phala farm in 2020 but it was hidden from the public to avoid questions about the millions in foreign currencies found hidden under mattresses on the property.
After a brief silence at the time, the president claimed that the funds were from the sale of livestock. But many South Africans refused to buy it, with some calling on the president to resign or be impeached. President Ramaphosa survived the storm.
How long he’d continue to survive, especially after the panel has submitted its report, remains to be seen.
The panel probing the scandal handed its report to National Assembly Speaker Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula yesterday, Wednesday, November 30.
The National Assembly will deliberate on the report and reach a decision.
