The African Transformation Movement (ATM) has vowed to continue its pursuit of justice against President Cyril Ramaphosa, following the rejection of its request for a Section 98 impeachment inquiry. The party argues that Ramaphosa has a case to answer regarding the Phala Phala farm scandal, which involves the 2020 theft of an estimated $580,000 in cash from Ramaphosa’s private game farm in Limpopo.
The ATM’s request was based on a report from the Independent Police Investigative Directorate (IPID), which found that police senior officials, including the head of the Presidential Protection Unit (PPU), Major Rhoode Wally, intentionally concealed the 2020 burglary and theft of foreign currency. The party claims that this constitutes a violation of the oath of office and potential criminality.
Background to the Scandal
The Phala Phala scandal came to light in June 2022, when former spy chief Arthur Fraser filed a criminal complaint, accusing Ramaphosa of money laundering, kidnapping, and bribery to recover the stolen funds without reporting the theft to the police. The incident remained secret until then, sparking widespread outrage and calls for Ramaphosa’s impeachment.
According to the South African Parliament website, the ATM requested Parliament to institute Section 89 impeachment proceedings, accusing Ramaphosa of violating the Parliamentary Code of Ethics and committing serious misconduct by failing to report the robbery at his home. The Section 89 independent panel, led by former Chief Justice Sandile Ngcobo, released its report on November 30, 2022, finding prima facie evidence that Ramaphosa may have committed serious misconduct or violated the constitution.
ATM’s Next Steps
Despite the rejection of its request, the ATM has indicated that it will pursue legal action and other avenues to challenge the decision. The party’s leader, Vuyo Zungula, has stated that the battle is not over and that the ATM will continue to fight for justice and accountability. The ATM has also argued that state resources were misused for “off-the-books” operations to recover stolen dollars, rather than reporting the crime through formal, legal police channels.
Some of the key points in the ATM’s case against Ramaphosa include:
- The intentional concealment of the 2020 burglary and theft of foreign currency by police senior officials
- The misuse of state resources for “off-the-books” operations to recover stolen dollars
- The violation of the oath of office and potential criminality by Ramaphosa
The ATM’s pursuit of justice against Ramaphosa is likely to have significant implications for South African politics and the rule of law. As the South African Government website notes, the Constitution requires that all public officials, including the President, be held accountable for their actions.
