The DA will not support a motion of no confidence against President Cyril Ramaphosa based on the Phala Phala scandal.
This is because the scandal is nothing compared to the allegations of looting against the EFF contained in former VBS bank executive Tshifhiwa Matodzi’s affidavit.
The detail was given by agriculture minister and DA leader John Steenhuisen.
Steenhuisen said the DA will opt to “take our chances” with Ramaphosa rather than support a motion brought by the “corrupt” EFF and MK Party.
He was speaking at a media briefing on Wednesday. The briefing was to outline the DA’s role in the national executive government and parliament. This in the current seventh administration.
DA won’t support move against Ramaphosa
During the question-and-answer session, he was asked how the DA will handle the Phala Phala matter. How the party will handle it if it is brought to parliament.
Steenhuisen said how the party will deal with the matter will depend on how it is brought to parliament.
He did add that if the Phala Phala matter is brought to parliament by the EFF and MK Party through a motion of no confidence against Ramaphosa, then the DA will not support it.
“It will depend on what form it [the Phala Phala matter] comes to parliament. And we would have to see what happens. Parliament went through the process in the sixth administration and the matter was discharged.
“Then it would depend on what form it was brought back into. Whether through a motion of no confidence, we would be unlikely to support the motion. Because frankly, Phala Phala pales into insignificance in light of the Matodzi affidavit. And with acts of blatant corruption and state capture evident by the [same] people who would no doubt bring such a motion, to bring the government down.
“[Former US President] Bill Clinton famously said the biggest question in politics is: ‘compared to what?’
Rather take a chance on Ramaphosa than support EFF, MK on Phala Phala
“Compared that [Phala Phala matter] to what is sitting on the other side of the gruesome side of the benches of the EFF and MK. I think that we would take our chances on the side of the president [Ramaphosa] on this one.
“Rather than take it with those who seek to bring down a government. So that they can negotiate their way back into government for no altruistic purpose and no purpose. Other than to get their hands on state resources. So that they could start the flow of those resources into the networks that have now been starved. [They are now starved] because there is a new government in town,” said Steenhuisen.
Last week, the Pretoria High Court sentenced Matodzi, 46 to a 495-year jail term on 33 counts. These are counts of corruption, theft, fraud, money laundering, and a pattern of racketeering activities. They are all in contravention of the Prevention of Organised Crime Act in relation to the VBS Mutual Bank collapse scandal. Matodzi is a former chairperson of the VBS Mutual Bank board.
Former VBS executive implicated EFF, MK officials
He pleaded guilty and entered into a plea bargain with the state. The sentences will run concurrently for an effective 15-year jail term. The court also declared Matodzi unfit to possess a firearm.
Meanwhile, in June 2022, former director-general of the state security agency Arthur Fraser, opened the Phala Phala matter. He blew the whistle on the Phala Phala farm robbery and opened a criminal case against Ramaphosa at the Rosebank Police Station. Fraser also named Ramaphosa’s presidential protection head, Maj-Gen Wally Rhoode, in the charge. He accused them of concealing the crime.
The said crime happened in February 2020. Stacks of cash in foreign currency were stolen from Ramaphosa’s Phala Phala farm in Bela-Bela, Limpopo. This happened after thieves broke into the farm.
The cash, alleged to be in foreign currency ($500,000), was stashed under mattresses and couches.
National Assembly voted against adoption of Phala Phala report
In November 2022, an independent panel chaired by retired former Chief Justice Sandile Ngcobo probed the matter. It found that Ramaphosa may have committed serious violations of some sections of the constitution. These include the Prevention and Combating of Corrupt Activities Act (PRECCA). He was found in violation by acting in a manner that is inconsistent with his office. This was with regards to the Phala Phala scandal.
In December 2022, the majority of parliament’s National Assembly voted against the adoption of Ngcobo’s report. The Section 89 Independent Panel Report that found against Ramaphosa.
Ramaphosa was cleared by the public protector, Advocate Kholeka Gcaleka. She cleared him of any wrongdoing in the Phala Phala scandal.
Opposition parties such as the ATM have taken Gcaleka’s report under review. They strongly feel the president has a case to answer.
