President Cyril Ramaphosa did not breach the Executive Ethics code during the sale of a multi-million Rand buffalo at his Phala Phala farm in Limpopo in 2020, acting Public Protector Kholeka Gcaleka said in her report public on Friday.
“The allegation that the President improperly and in violation of the provisions of the Executive Ethics Code exposed himself to any risk of a conflict between his constitutional duties and obligations and his private interests is not substantiated. The allegation that the President undertook remunerated work at Phala Phala farm, is not substantiated,” she said.
Gcaleka said despite Ramaphosa being sole director at Ntaba Nyoni Close Corporation he was not involved in the day-to-day running of the business.
“The evidence and information before the Public Protector indicate that the US dollars stolen at Phala Phala farm on or about 09 February 2020 emanate from a private cash transaction. Mr Mustafa Mohamed Ibrahim Hazim (Mr Hazim) a citizen of Sudan, arrived in the country on 23 December 2019 and thereafter purchased buffalo at Phala Phala farm on 25 December 2019.”
“Mr Sylvester Ndlovu, an employee of Ntaba Nyoni Close Corporation received a cash amount of US$580,000 on 25 December 2019 and issued a cash payment receipt as proof of the transaction to Mr Hazim. It is apparent from the evidence before the Public Protector that the President was not at Phala Phala farm during this transaction and did not play a role in the sale,” it continued.
The complaints against the president were lodged by the ATM leader, Vuyolwethu Zungula and the DA leader,John Steenhuisen, members of the public Elias Muller and Simphiwe Ndlovu.
The Phala Phala saga was revealed to the public after reports surfaced where former Director General of the State Security Agency (SSA) Arthur Fraser laid charges of money laundering, kidnapping and corruption against President Cyril Ramaphosa over the alleged theft of $4-million at Rosebank Police Station.
Fraser allegations were said to be supported by video footage, photographs, bank accounts and names of various individuals.
The acting Public Protector said the Hawks, South African Revenue Service(Sars) and the Reserve Bank are investigating the money laundering claim and if there was criminality involved in the transaction.
