Ekeomah Atuonwu
South African 🇿🇦 President Cyril Ramaphosa, who is involved in a burglary scandal, will testify before his party’s Integrity Commission, according to the ruling African National Congress (ANC).
The ANC said in a statement that it “welcomed and commended the president’s decision to voluntarily present himself to the ANC Integrity Commission,” but did not name a date.
The ANC, which has been plagued by political infighting, is attempting to reform itself by combating corruption, with members facing criminal charges being systematically suspended.
In the coming months, the party is expected to announce its candidate for the 2024 national elections.
Accusations that Ramaphosa, 69, was complicit in buying the silence of burglars who stumbled upon large sums of money at one of his properties have weakened him since last week.
According to a complaint filed Wednesday at a Johannesburg police station by former South African intelligence chief Arthur Fraser, the case began in February 2020.
Robbers are said to have broken into Ramaphosa’s Phala property in the country’s northeast, where they discovered $4 million in cash stashed in furniture.
Ramaphosa has disputed the amount in question, but has admitted that he buys and sells animals “sometimes with cash, sometimes with transfers.”
Ramaphosa is accused of concealing the theft from police and tax authorities in the case.
Fraser, who said he provided police with “photos, bank accounts, names and videos”, accused Ramaphosa of obstruction of justice and organising for the suspects to be kidnapped, interrogated on his property and paid off.
In the past, members of the ANC have been removed from office following the Integrity Commission’s recommendations.
