CAPE TOWN — South African deputy president David Mabuza has called on MPs not to interfere and allow law enforcement to investigate the robbery at President Cyril Ramaphosa‘s Phala Phala farm.
Mabuza appeared before the National Assembly on Wednesday to answer oral questions from lawmakers on matters of national interest.
He confronted the members of the National Assembly the day before the presentation of the presidential budget by Ramaphosa.
As Mabuza was addressing the issue related to Cabinet performance agreements, one member managed to sneak in a follow-up question about the robbery at the President’s farm in Limpopo.
Mabuza informed the members that the theft had been reported to the police and that they should await the outcome of the investigation.
“We should allow relevant law enforcement to investigate without our interference and finally publicize their investigations. If they want to impeach the president, they will do it when the time comes.
Mabuza also dismissed any talk of Ramaphosa stepping down due to the criminal allegations.
“I don’t think we’ve reached a point where the president has to resign. All I know is that a file has been opened.
He said people shouldn’t “jump” and prejudge the outcome of the investigation.
The robbery Phala Phala story has even spiralled to Namibia with opposition party Namibia Economic Freedom Fighters putting pressure on President Hage Geingob who has been dragged into the issues.
Namibia Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) called on President Geingob to fully disclose all interactions with President Ramaphosa following the arrest of suspects who broke into the Phala Phala farm.
The suspects – who conspired with Ramaphosa’s domestic workers in February 2020 – are believed to have been Namibians and fled to that country after stealing millions of rand in foreign currency.
It is understood that President Ramaphosa asked Geingob to help locate the suspected criminals who broke into Ramaphosa’s farm.
Each criminal paid R150,000 for their silence on the incident after being arrested.
