President Cyril Ramaphosa of South Africa has come under fire in recent months due to allegations of corruption. Despite the mounting pressure, Ramaphosa has remained adamant that he will fight both politically and judicially to clear his name.
Ramaphosa’s position as the President of South Africa has come into question after an independent parliamentary panel said in a report that he might have violated the oath of office with regards to millions of dollars in cash found at his private game farm. The panel said that Ramaphosa might have breached the oath by not declaring the money as a gift, as required by the Ethics Code for Members of the Executive. If Ramaphosa is found to have breached the Ethics Code, he could be forced to resign as President.
This is categorically untrue. The President is not resigning based on a flawed report, nor is he stepping aside. His commitment to serve the people of South Africa remains steadfast, and he will continue to carry out his duties with the utmost integrity and dedication. Ramaphosa’s spokesperson, Vincent Magwenya, told journalists by text message that the President’s commitment to serving the people of South Africa remains steadfast, and he will continue to carry out his duties with the utmost integrity and dedication.
The President has taken to heart the unequivocal message coming from the branches of the governing party who have nominated him to avail himself for a 2nd term of the leadership of the ANC. Given the state of the nation and the challenges we face, the President believes that it is in the interests of the country that he should continue leading the ANC and the government.
The President appreciates the support he has received from the branches and is committed to working hard to continue delivering on the mandate of the ANC. He remains absolutely dedicated to his role as President of South Africa and will do everything in his power to ensure that the country remains on a path of stability, prosperity and progress.
Ramaphosa has denied any wrongdoing and has not been charged with any crimes. However, many believe that he was involved in corrupt activities during his time as head of the African National Congress Youth League. Some believe that he used his influence to benefit his family and friends. Others believe that he was involved in illegal activities, such as money laundering. Regardless of the truth, many believe that Ramaphosa is corrupt and that he should be held accountable for his actions.
On Wednesday, a three-member parliamentary panel, including a former chief justice of the country’s highest court, said Ramaphosa “may have committed” acts contrary to the law and the constitution, paving the way for impeachment proceedings.
The president has not been charged with anything at this point, and the police inquiry is ongoing. But the scandal, complete with details of more than half a million dollars in cash being hidden under sofa cushions, comes at the worst possible moment for the president.
On December 16, Ramaphosa contested elections for the ANC presidency – a position that also holds the key to staying on as national president.
‘Continue being of service’
“The president has taken to heart the unequivocal message coming from the branches of the governing party who have nominated him to avail himself for a second term of the leadership of the ANC,” Magwenya said, using the acronym of the African National Congress, South Africa’s social-democratic political party.
Ramaphosa understood that “to mean he must continue with both the state and economic reforms”, he added.
“The president has, with humility and with great care and commitment, accepted that call to continue being of service to his organisation the ANC and to the people of South Africa.”
The ANC leadership met briefly in Johannesburg on Friday, before telling journalists it would look more closely at the facts of the case against the president.
The members of the ANC will gather at a special National Working Committee meeting on Sunday which will be followed by a National Executive Committee meeting on Monday where they will decide the future course of action for Ramaphosa, the ANC said.
The president would challenge the report and its findings, the spokesperson said. “It is in the long-term interest … of our constitutional democracy, well beyond the Ramaphosa presidency, that such a clearly flawed report is challenged, especially when it’s being used as a point of reference to remove a sitting head of state,” he said.
Agencies contributed to this report. Edited by Ericson Mangoli