Published on : 10/06/2022 – 00:12
The scandal around the South African president is growing. Thursday, June 9, Cyril Ramaphosa was violently attacked by the opposition, while trying to present the state budget to Parliament. He was arrested on charges that he bought the silence of burglars who discovered the equivalent of 3.8 million euros in cash at one of his properties.
Hardly had the Head of State spoken when the members of Parliament took him to task for an hour. ” We cannot allow a man accused of such serious crimes to address Parliament “Launched the deputies of a political formation, accusing Cyril Ramaphosa of” money laundering » and to be a « criminal ».
The head of state is accused of concealing the equivalent of 3.8 million euros – in cash and foreign currency – in one of his properties. As well as having bought the silence of the burglars who discovered the loot two years ago.
President Ramaphosa has rejected these accusations which he describes as ” policies “, admitting that there had been a burglary, but that the sum was less important, the product of a legal transaction.
These explanations did not convince. A complaint was filed and the mediator of the republic, responsible for monitoring the actions of the executive, announced the opening of an investigation. His own party’s integrity commission is due to hear him soon.
“It looks like a mafia movie!” »
Very serious accusations, alarmed John Steenhuisen, leader of the main opposition party, before the parliamentarians: ” How much money have you hidden in your properties ? You say that this money comes from the sale of animals, that the charges against you are “political” and that you have not done anything illegal. But why hide money, cover up this burglary and pay thieves to shut up ? It looks like a mafia movie ! »
After more than an hour of chaos in the hemicycle, the head of state was finally able to speak. But only after being seriously challenged. In his speech, the Head of State said he was a victim of ” dirty tricks ” and D'” intimidation “, assuring that he would not let himself” deter with threats ».
When he came to power four years ago, Cyril Ramaphosa promised to make the fight against corruption his priority, after years of scandals under his predecessor Jacob Zuma.