The mudslinging and jostling for positions have begun in earnest ahead of the ANC’s elective conference in December and President Cyril Ramaphosa needs to have his wits about him if he is to successfully navigate the stormy weather that lies ahead on his pathway to re-election as ANC president.
It’s no surprise that a close Jacob Zuma ally in the form of the former director-general of the State Security Agency, Arthur Fraser, has decided to come forward with information that Ramaphosa orchestrated a cover-up following a robbery on his Phala Phala farm out in Limpopo, back in February 2020.
Fraser alleges the robbers worked in cahoots with a domestic worker on the president’s farm and made off with in excess of $4 million in cash. The money was on the farm following a recent sale of cattle by the farm manager.
Ferial Haffajee writes at length about the heist and why the president did not immediately release the information to the public and contends that the radical economic transformation (RET) faction of the party will try to push Deputy President David Mabuza to finish out Ramaphosa’s term by using the ANC’s step-aside rule against Ramaphosa.
But a similar ploy has been used in the past and it did not work then but Fraser’s allegations and the fact that he has formally laid a case with the police will hurt Ramaphosa’s political prospects.
“…Fraser’s case will be embarrassing and destabilising to Ramaphosa in the short term. His wealth is an Achilles heel in a struggling country and for anybody to hold so much cash in foreign currency raises red flags for money laundering and tax evasion.”
The Citizen writes that Ramaphosa needs to ensure that no suspicion hangs over him regarding the robbery, which the president confirmed did happen, but he has also refuted claims made by Fraser that he paid the robbers in exchange for their silence.
Here’s a round-up of what we’re reading:
EDITORIAL | It’s no coincidence state capturers are slinging mud at Cyril – Sunday Times Daily (for subscribers)
MAKHUDU SEFARA | If you’ve got proof, reveal it, Fraser. SA’s future is at stake – Sunday Times Daily (for subscribers)
EXPLAINER | Can the 2024 elections be postponed? We ask the experts – News24 (for subscribers)
ANALYSIS | Why you should care about where your energy comes from – Fin24 (for subscribers)
ISAAH MHLANGA: Small rise in employment is nothing to celebrate – Business Day (for subscribers)
