President Cyril Ramaphosa says the CR17 campaign was above board. Photo by Misheck Makora
MISHECK MAKORA
PRESIDENT Cyril Ramaphosa yesterday told Parliament there was no wrongdoing in his campaign to become ANC president.
The names and banking details of his funders were recently leaked on social media and the Public Protector probed his campaign funding.
“In its funding and its activities there was no wrongdoing, no criminality and no abuse of public funds or resources. It is important that we should note that.
“Those who contributed to the campaign as volunteers, members of the ANC and indeed as donors did so out of a genuine concern for the future of our country,” he said to applause from his own party.
He was responding to a question from EFF leader Julius Malema on whether he intended to start an inquiry to investigate allegations of state capture involving Bosasa.
Ramaphosa said there was no need for another inquiry and if he was called to testify to the Zondo Commission, he was ready to attend. He said there were no rules saying the funding of party conferences had to be publicly announced.
“The Public Protector’s review is currently under judicial review and our independent courts will make a decision in this regard,” he said.
Ramaphosa said some were using the leaked information to promote their own agendas.
“I wish to say the CR17 campaign was a legitimate and necessary effort to promote the renewal of the governing party and the broader society,” said Ramaphosa.
On a lighter note, Malema asked Ramaphosa: “This last question you have to answer it outside. How many of my party members did you give money to?”
