President Cyril Ramaphosa is expected to later respond to the allegations levelled against him by the former State Security Agency director-general Arthur Fraser at the Rosebank Police State on Wednesday.
According to recently appointed spokesperson Vincent Magwenya, Ramaphosa was only informed of the charges late in the evening on Wednesday after his cabinet meeting.
Said Magwenya: “President was chairing a cabinet meeting until late in the evening yesterday. He has been informed about the Arthur Fraser statement. The Presidency will communicate in due course.”
The allegations emanate from the alleged theft of over four million US dollars allegedly concealed at Ramaphosa’s Phala Phala farm in Waterberg, Limpopo.
According to Fraser, Ramaphosa was in cahoots with “criminals” who were colluding with his domestic workers.
Said Fraser in a statement on Wednesday: “The President concealed the crime from the South African Police Service and/or South African Revenue Service (SARS*) and thereafter paid the culprits for their silence. The evidence I provide shows that the said burglary took place on 9 February 2020. This conduct of the President and those involved constitutes a breach of, infer alia, the Prevention of Organized Crime Act, No. 121 of 1998 (POCA*) and the Prevention of Corrupt Activities Act No. 12 of 2004 (“the Corruption Act*).”
Ramaphosa faces charges including defeating the ends of justice, kidnapping of suspects, and bribery.
Fraser has been waiting on the chance to expose Ramaphosa.
According to media reports in May, Fraser demanded that the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) make arrests in a period of seven days, including that of the president.
The former spy boss said in 2021 that he would expose Ramaphosa if given a chance to appear before the Zondo Commission of Inquiry in the State’s Capture hearings. However, he was not granted the opportunity.
Fraser was painted by several witnesses as being behind the repurposing of the State Security Agency for the benefit of Zuma.
He was called to give evidence but immediately put the commission and the country on high alert when he warned that if compelled to give evidence, he would be forced to reveal “state secrets” about presidents – past and present – as well as judges and parliamentarians.
It is unknown if his veiled threat is what stopped the commission from pursuing his evidence.
This story has been updated
Also read: Former spy boss Arthur Fraser lays criminal charges against Ramaphosa
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