ANC welcomes Farmgate report

ANC secretary-general Fikile Mbalula has welcomed acting Public Protector Kholeka Gcaleka’s report exonerating President Cyril Ramaphosa of wrongdoing in the Phala Phala matter, while opposition parties slammed the “unnecessary delay”.

Gcaleka said she found no wrongdoing on the president’s part following the release of her report into Ramaphosa’s alleged violation of the executive ethics code.

Gcaleka told journalists the investigation into the controversial Phala Phala saga looked at three major issues surrounding the president.

These were whether he contravened the executive ethics code; acted in conflict with his oath of office; and abused his powers.

On Saturday, Mbalula said the governing party was happy that Ramaphosa had been cleared.

“People are welcome to take the matter on review. I think that is the option that is available to everyone who does not agree with the report,” Mbalula said.

Mbalula added that those who disagreed with Gcaleka’s findings should approach the courts.

UDM leader General Bantu Holomisa described the final report into the Phala Phala farm matter as an “engineered cover-up”.

Holomisa said his party did not take Gcaleka‘s report seriously as it failed to hold Ramaphosa accountable in spite of the evidence.

Holomisa said: “There are no surprises at all, given that his comrades openly engineered this cover-up. This is the outcome of that plan.

“You will recall that the real PP sent questions to the president, and a day after this, she was suspended.”

ATM leader Vuyo Zungula also voiced his disappointment at the manner in which Gcaleka handled the matter.

It was clear that her verdict would vindicate Ramaphosa in the matter involving unexplained and undeclared millions of American dollars found on Ramaphosa’s farm, he said.

The DA also slammed Gcaleka, with party leader John Steenhuisen saying the acting PP had erred both in law and reason.

“It’s a complete and utter cop-out,” Steenhuisen said.