Personal matters will be addressed – Cyril
DEPUTY President Cyril Ramaphosa yesterday told MPs he would take them and South Africans into his confidence around “matters of a personal nature”, referring to media reports which stated he has had extra-marital affairs with various women.
Ramaphosa made a statement before answering questions in the National Assembly.
“I thought because I work with all of you across party lines, in many ways, all of you are my colleagues. I will be addressing this matter in a day or two.
“This, one does, because I need to take responsibility and be accountable to this house.”
At the weekend, media reports surfaced that information obtained from his personal e-mails showed he allegedly had various affairs.
According to reports, Ramaphosa admitted to having an affair with a medical doctor eight years ago. He told his wife about the affair and said they are still happily married.
On the question on whether it was legal to grant Zimbabwean First Lady Grace Mugabe diplomatic immunity after she allegedly assaulted a model with an electrical cord, Ramaphosa would not be drawn on what his personal thoughts were, but said the courts would rule on the matter and Parliament was also looking into the matter.
“This is a difficult case, balancing diplomatic imperatives against the imperatives of natural justice. In the end, it is the courts of our country which will make a determination.”
He added that Parliament’s portfolio committee on international relations was also looking into the matter, while the court application was brought by the DA and civil rights group AfriForum.
Ramaphosa said International Relations Minister Maite Nkoana-Mashabane indicated she made the decision to grant Mugabe immunity in terms of the Diplomatic Immunities and Privileges Act.
Nkoana-Mashabane was in the firing line earlier yesterday when DA MPs objected to her failure to appear before the portfolio committee on international relations on the Mugabe matter.
The minister sent a letter to the committee saying she could not appear because the DA’s high court application made the matter sub judice. – ANA