Zim Now Writer
South African prosecutors have announced they will not pursue criminal charges against President Cyril Ramaphosa in connection with the 2020 robbery at his private Phala Phala game ranch.
The theft involved US$580 000, which Ramaphosa claimed were proceeds from the sale of buffaloes. The funds were allegedly hidden in a sofa at the time of the robbery
The controversy, widely known as "Farmgate," erupted in June 2022 when former intelligence head Arthur Fraser accused Ramaphosa of covering up the theft. Fraser, a close ally of former president Jacob Zuma, claimed that around US$4 million was stolen, potentially linked to money laundering, tax evasion, and violations of foreign currency regulations.
He also accused Ramaphosa of using his presidential protection unit to track down and bribe the thieves to suppress the incident.
Ramaphosa admitted the theft occurred but denied any wrongdoing. He stated that he had reported the break-in to the head of his police protection unit and maintained that the stolen money was related to a legitimate buffalo sale to a Sudanese businessman.
The businessman later confirmed the transaction but did not explain why the money was hidden in the furniture.
The scandal threatened to derail Ramaphosa’s presidency ahead of a critical party leadership vote in June 2022, but he managed to weather the political storm and was re-elected as president.
On Thursday last week, the National Prosecuting Authority announced that, after a comprehensive investigation involving over 150 statements, there was insufficient evidence to pursue charges against Ramaphosa or his security team. Separate investigations by the South African Reserve Bank and an independent watchdog also cleared the president of any legal wrongdoing.
Three individuals, including a former employee at the farm, were arrested last year and charged with breaking and entering and theft in relation to the robbery.
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