By: Natasha Archary
As calls mount for President Cyril Ramaphosa to step-aside amidst allegations of theft, kidnapping, and defeating the ends of justice, Sizwe Dhlomo speaks to Independent Analyst, Khaya Sithole to unpack what this would mean for the ANC.
After Arthur Fraser, former State Security Agency head laid criminal charges against the president last week, there have been major outcry from opposition parties calling for Ramaphosa to step-aside.
On Monday, 6 June, at the ANC’s National Working Committee (NWC), Tony Yengeni suggested Ramaphosa relegates his position as head of the ANC.
He’s not the only one, the DA wants the President to play an open hand and answer questions about the tax implications and potential money laundering related to the 2020 theft.
The alleged $4 million theft is said to have taken place at the President’s Phala Phala game farm in Limpopo.
DA leader John Steenhuisen said, “The President is facing a crisis of credibility and cannot hide behind procedural smokescreens to avoid presenting South Africans with the full truth around the money that was stolen from his farm, and the subsequent cover-up.
There is no aspect of any police or other investigation that prevents him from taking the country into his confidence with a full and honest account of events. In fact, he has a special obligation to do so which no other South African has.”
Listen to DA leader John Steenhuisen:
What does the ANC step-aside policy entail?
In April 2021, the National Executive Committee of the ANC seeking to hold ANC members responsible for allegations of corruption or crime reaffirmed the party’s step-aside policy.
Under the guidelines, “the names of those members who have been charged with corruption or other serious crimes and those who are alleged, reported or implicated in corrupt practices,” should step-aside.
The President not reporting a theft of this magnitude speaks volumes and in his public address on the matter over the weekend, he continues to call for South Africans to give him the “moral benefit of the doubt.”
As Khaya Sithole and Sizwe Dhlomo unpack what the step-aside policy would mean for the party, the biggest question on most South Africans minds right now is whether Cyril Ramaphosa will still be viable for a second term in office?
According to Khaya Sithole, that remains to be seen, and even if he’s no longer head of the party, Ramaphosa will still be obligated to see out his term as President of the country.
Unless of course, the party recalls him as they have done former president Jacob Zuma amidst his corruption scandals.
Listen to the full Kaya Drive conversation:
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