image source, Reuters
South African President Cyril Ramaposa He promised after taking office in 2018 that he would continue to fight corruption. But now they are accused of corruption themselves.
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South African President Cyril Ramaposa is facing political storms and is being pressured to resign. After being accused of hiding millions of dollars in cash in his hunting ranch farmhouse.
The scandal that shook the chair of 70-year-old Ramaposa, who came to run the country with an image. “Explaining corruption” was revealed last June. by mr. Arthur Fraser, former head of the State Security Agency filed a complaint against Mr Ramaphosa for covering up crimes and corruption
Mr Fraser claims to have evidence that $4 million in cash was stolen from President Ra’s Pala Pala hunting farm on February 9, 2020. It is located in Limpopo Province in northern South Africa.
Mr Fraser accused President Ramaposa of hiding cash under a sofa cushion. and he hid the robbery from the police In addition, after the incident, people were ordered to arrest the suspect. along with paying bribes to hush up the matter
After the notice of Mr An independent commission of inquiry was established, chaired by a former judge in the Supreme Court. The committee concluded in its investigative report that there are questionable matters that the president needs to explain.
Mr Ramaposa, who is running for the leadership of the African National Congress (ANC) on December 16, has denied the allegations. and confirmed that he would compete for another term as party leader
The battle for the position of party leader will decide whether Ramaposa will continue as president?
image source, Reuters
The face of the investigation report of the Independent Committee of Inquiry, says that “There is doubt” about the origin of the cash that has been stored in the residence of President Ramaposa. This report was submitted to the Speaker of the National Assembly on 30 November, 2022.
Pressure from the opposition and some members of the ANC to demand his resignation was increasing, prompting Ramaposa’s spokesman, Vincent Magvenha to reiterate on December 3. that Mr Ramaposa will not resign as president and will continue to compete for the position of leader of the party for a second term
“The President will not resign or cease to perform duties based on flawed investigative reports,” a Ramaposa spokesman said. and said that such flawed reports deserve to be investigated. Not just to protect President Ramaposa. but also to protect South Africa’s constitutional democracy.
Admits stolen money, but less than $4 million
Earlier, Mr Ramaposa admitted there was a robbery at his hunting farm lodge. But the amount stolen was US$580,000 (about 20 million baht), not US$4 million as Mr Fraser claimed.
President Ramaposa claims that $580,000 of the proceeds came from the sale of buffalo. But the investigative committee concluded that “There is reasonable doubt” that the transaction actually took place as Mr Ramaposa claimed.
The committee’s investigation report was sent to parliament on November 30, after which the council will consider it. If it is determined that he has taken serious disciplinary action, the process of removing Mr Ramaposa from his post will begin. Impeachment requires a vote of two-thirds of members of parliament.
image source, Reuters
South African citizens gripped the news as the political situation worsened as President Ramapossala resigned.
Ramaposa was a close friend of Nelson Mandela, South Africa’s first black president and one of the world’s greatest leaders. Since the 1970s, Ramaposa has played a key role in opposing apartheid.
He was unanimously elected by the Senedd to lead the country. After the ANC party won the election on May 8, 2019
The scandal has greatly affected Mr Ramaposa’s image. Because he promoted a policy to tackle corruption that was widespread during the time of former president Jacob Zuma, today he faces charges of corruption himself.
ANC members are said to be divided into two factions. namely the factions that support Mr Ramaposa and those that continue to support Mr Zuma. And the party itself is split over whether he should stay in office or resign.
