Clinging on to the hope of being re-elected as the African National Congress (ANC) leader in December, the South African President Cyril Ramaphosa categorically “rubbished” allegations of “corruption” and “kidnapping” by political adversary and former State Security Agency (SSA) Director-General Arthur Fraser.
Presidential spokesperson Vincent Magwenya in a statement released on Thursday said that there is “no basis for the claims of criminal conduct” against Ramaphosa and that he “stands ready to cooperate with any law enforcement investigation of these matters.”
Earlier on Wednesday, the former intelligence chief filed a complaint against the president at the Johannesburg police station, accusing him of breaching the Prevention of Organised Crime Act.
While submitting supporting photographs, bank accounts, video footage, and names, Fraser alleged that Ramaphosa had “concealed” a 2020 robbery worth $4 million at his Limpopo farm because he later abducted and interrogated the suspects and paid henchmen off “for their silence.”
This is utterly shocking! The criminal charges brought by #ArthurFraser against @CyrilRamaphosa are extremely serious.
— Carl Niehaus (@niehaus_carl) June 1, 2022
Are all the scandals piling up against this man who was purported to be a ‘fighter against corruption’ never going end? Enough is enough! #RamaphosaMustGo pic.twitter.com/mnkRN4yZ4A
Police spokesperson Colonel Athlenda Mathe confirmed that “a case of money laundering, defeating the ends of justice and kidnapping” has been lodged and reaffirmed that investigations will follow “due process.”
Fraser said that he had taken “the unprecedented step of filing a complaint” against Ramaphosa, adding that he trusts “that the president will take the nation into his confidence and accept or deny” the events described in his affidavit pertaining to the theft.
The Presidency yesterday revealed that a “robbery took place at the President’s farm in Limpopo on or around 9 February 2020 in which proceeds from the sale of game were stolen.”
The statement added that Ramaphosa was “attending an African Union Summit in Addis Ababa” on the day of the incident and had “reported” it to the head of the Presidential Protection Unit of the South African Police Service “for investigation.”
The Presidency was forced to confirm the robbery, reported by #ArthurFraser, by lunchtime on Thursday. The case set the stage for a mighty showdown between the former spy boss and #CyrilRamaphosa. - @ferialhaffajee https://t.co/79JVYdiJu0
— Pauli Van Wyk (@PaulivW) June 2, 2022
Other allegations, however, were denied, with the declaration reiterating that the President “remains resolute in leading the fight against corruption” and “will not be deterred by disinformation campaigns.”
The allegations could be construed as a motivated attempt to obstruct Ramaphosa’s re-election as ANC president and subsequently as the party’s presidential candidate for 2024.
Any member who faces “proven criminal charges” must step aside from the leadership race. In this respect, the Radical Economic Transformation (RET) faction within the ANC has carried out a sustained campaign to unseat the president before the completion of his term.
Furthermore, Ramaphosa only entered office after the resignation of former President Jacob Zuma over allegations of corruption. Fraser is thought to be a close political aide of Zuma. In fact, in September, in his capacity as the erstwhile Correctional Services Commissioner, he played an instrumental role in securing ordering Zuma’s release from prison on medical parole despite the contradictory opinion of the medical parole appeals committee.
PRESIDENCY RESPONDS TO CLAIMS BY MR ARTHUR FRASER
— Presidency | South Africa 🇿🇦 (@PresidencyZA) June 2, 2022
The Presidency has been made aware through a media statement that Mr Arthur Fraser has laid a complaint with the South African Police Service against President @CyrilRamaphosa.
Zuma, who was in office from 2009 to 2018, is on trial for corruption concerning a 1999 arms deal with five European companies.
Fraser has also been accused of being an accomplice in corruption under the Zuma government while he was the head of the SSA. In fact, in February, the Zondo Commission confirmed his complicity following an investigation. Fraser, however, has retaliated by laying charges against those who testified against him.
Besides impacting Ramaphosa’s candidature at the ANC due to its “step aside” rule, the allegations have put yet another dark cloud over his presidency, which is already reeling under the pressure of an enduring economic and energy crisis. His governance has also come under scrutiny over misappropriation of state funds, specifically those allocated to tackle COVID-19.