By Lungani Zungu
President Cyril Ramaphosa’s fate over the Phala Phala saga will now be decided by the National Assembly when members of Parliament debate the report on Tuesday.
Retired Chief Justice Sandile Ngcobo handed over the three-volume report to the Speaker of Parliament Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula on Wednesday.
Ngcobo chaired the Section 89 independent panel and was aided by retired judge Thokozile Masipa who presided over the Oscar Pistorius murder case, and Advocate Mahlape Sello.
Mapisa-Nqakula said the adoption of the report, which could pave the way for a motion of no-confidence against Ramaphosa, will be decided through a vote.
“The house will consider the report, its findings and recommendations and adopt a resolution through a single majority vote whether further action by the house is necessary or not,” said Mapisa-Nqakula.
“The panel probed whether Ramaphosa violated the Constitution or committed serious misconduct.”
In June, Vuyo Zungula, leader of the African Transformation Movement (ATM) asked speaker Mapisa-Nqakula to appoint an independent panel to probe the Phala Phala scandal after money that was reported to be over $4 million was stolen at Ramaphosa’s Limpopo farm in 2020.
This was declined by Mapisa-Nqakula.
A month later, in July, Zungula filed a refined motion which was accepted, giving birth to the independent panel to start its work.
Former spy boss Arthur Fraser accused Ramaphosa of concealing the theft. Fraser laid a criminal charge against the president in June this year.
The Phala Phala scandal is arguably one of the toughest tests of Ramaphosa’s presidency since taking office in 2018 following the demise of Jacob Zuma.
The report will also be posted on the Parliament’s website later on Wednesday.
Ramaphosa’s opponents inside the ANC are hoping to use the Phala Phala scandal to topple him ahead of the ANC elective conference in December.
Ramaphosa, elected as ANC president in 2017, is gunning for a second term and is pitted against former health minister Zweli Mkhize after the two ANC heavyweights were nominated for the top job by the ANC branches.
Pictured above: Former Chief Justice Sandile Ngcobo and Speaker of Parliament Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula
Picture source: @ParliamentRSA
