Nine parties set to decide Ramaphosa’s fate
NINE opposition parties are set to decide the fate of President Cyril Ramaphosa and his administration.
The parties met about “strengthening the arm of Parliament” and “holding the executive accountable” after the lid blew off the so-called Phala Phala Farmgate scandal.
This is detailed in a joint statement by the DA, EFF, IFP, ACDP, UDM, NFP, ATM, Cope and PAC.
Former State Security Agency director-general Arthur Fraser revealed that Ramaphosa tried to conceal a crime at his farm in Lephalale, Limpopo.
The alleged crime involved an alleged $4 million (more than R60m) being stolen from the farm, but Ramaphosa has denied any involvement in “criminal conduct”, saying the money stolen was the proceeds from the “business transaction of selling animals” because he was a game farmer.
In the statement, the parties said the purpose of these engagements was to strengthen the arm of Parliament in holding the executive to account and representing the people of South Africa.
It read: “It is important to stress that despite parties being independent, there’s overwhelming consensus on the issues and broader strategy including mechanisms like a Section 89(1) Inquiry and No Confidence Motion, among others, to hold Ramaphosa and his executive accountable.”
Section 89 of the Constitution provides for the National Assembly to remove a president from office if it deems there was a serious violation of the Constitution or the law, serious misconduct or if the president does not have the ability to perform the functions of office.