Published on : 04/06/2022 – 22:02
The complaint comes from a former intelligence chief who accuses the president of obstructing justice after the discovery of a large sum of money in one of his properties. The Head of State immediately rejected these accusations, but the case caused a scandal.
In his complaint, former intelligence chief Arthur Fraser accuses President Ramaphosa of kidnapping and kidnapping burglars and then buying their silence.
The case dates back to February 2020. During the burglary of a farm, thieves come across the equivalent of 3.8 million euros in cash. Except that the property belongs to the head of state.
Cyril Ramaphosa immediately rejected these accusations but admitted that there had indeed been a theft from his property, and that the proceeds from the sale of game had been stolen, without specifying the amount.
A settling of accounts cannot be ruled out. The former intelligence chief is seen as an ally of former President Jacob Zuma, Cyril Ramaphosa’s main opponent. Arthur Fraser, head of the penitentiary services, also had Jacob Zuma released a year ago for medical reasons.
The case also erupts as the ruling party must soon decide whether or not to keep Ramaphosa as the 2024 presidential candidate.
Was there an attempt at corruption? And what was the Head of State doing with a large sum of cash? The case challenges and disappoints South Africans. Ramaphosa had made the fight against corruption one of his priorities, after succeeding Jacob Zuma who had to resign due to numerous scandals.