Good morning, President Cyril Ramaphosa will face a firing squad when he goes to parliament today in a session that is officially designated for him to present the presidency’s budget but one which will surely descend into questions around the theft at his Limpopo farm.
Yesterday, it was Deputy President David Mabuza’s turn in the house, where he answered oral questions on whether the ANC was considering Ramaphosa’s resignation due to the nature of the farm theft, which could amount to criminal misconduct. Mabuza called for cool heads and said no determination had been made on whether the president should resign and urged MPs to allow law enforcement the chance to investigate the matter. Read more here.
But the vultures are circling the president, Mail & Guardian reports that the national working committee (NWC) of the ANC referred the matter to the party’s integrity commission. The publication reports on Monday national executive committee (NEC) member Tony Yengeni – a known Jacob Zuma supporter – “placed the charges on the NWC’s agenda by requesting that the body take a decision to refer the president to the party’s integrity commission to “explain himself”. Read more here.
While those seeking to enforce the ANC’s ‘step aside’ rule against the president are jumping the gun, reports The Citizen. Constitutional expert Paul Hoffman says the party’s rule can only be applied to Ramaphosa once the president has been officially charged by the national prosecuting authority for a criminal offence. Read more here. (for subscribers)
Fin24 has compiled an explainer of what the law states about forex and how you should declare the money legally. The business news site has put together the handy guide due to the nature of the theft on Ramaphosa’s Phala Phala farm. If it is true, up to $4 million was stolen from the farm, which raises questions about when and if the president declared the foreign income appropriately. Read more here. (for subscribers)
Here’s a round-up of other top news we’re reading today:
Mkhwebane to submit report on Ramaphosa farm robbery in 30 days – The Citizen
With theft case hanging over his head, Ramaphosa may face rowdy House for budget vote speech – News24 (for subscribers)
Eskom CEO André De Ruyter’s load-shedding nightmare – MyBroadband
Eskom says Kusile Power Station to be completed by 2024 – EWN
Prospects of making profit from fuel remain bleak in SA – EWN
No R350 grants were paid in April and May, Sassa admits – Fin24
At least 20% of employees likely to change jobs this year – global survey – Daily Maverick
Yen extends slide, euro steady as all eyes on ECB meeting – SABC
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