The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) joined by other
opposition political parties which included COPE, ATM, PAC, and more marched to
the Public Protector’s office, in a bid to force acting Public Protector,
advocate Kholeka Gcaleka, to release the Phala Phala report.
The parties said there is no justification for a delay by the office of the Public Protector in releasing its report on the alleged robbery of large amounts of US dollars at President Cyril Ramaphosa’s Phala Phala farm.
Not in My Name’s, Siya Jenjile, said they were there in solidarity.
“We want accountability. We are demanding that the President tells us what really happened in Phala Phala, the size of the mattress and the color of the bedding, and why that woman was victimized,” he said.
Deputy President of COPE Willy Madisa said: “The people of South Africa are all extremely important because they have sent us here to say that we are tired because you are protecting thieves instead of dealing with this problem,”
He said the ANC must go away because they are not the people who are supposed to lead the country.
“All they know is to take money in black plastic bags to their own homes,” he said.
Motsoaledi Rankapole from Forum 4 Service Delivery (F4SD) said they demand that Ramaphosa step aside to allow the investigation to proceed.
He said Ramaphosa broke the oath of his office by not reporting the crime and therefore, he should step aside as President.
President of the EFF, Julius Malema, said they are not
influencing the deputy public protector on what to write on the report but to
tell her to release it.
“Release the report, it doesn’t matter whether it’s complete or not. Under your leadership, for the first time, this office gets so many people to come and demand the release of a report. What kind of legacy do you want to build for yourself? You are still very young and have a very bright future.
“Ramaphosa won’t be the president of this country forever. You are defending a person who’s left with a few hours in the office,” he said.
In the memorandum that was handed over, accepted, and signed by acting Public Protector, advocate Kholeka the parties made some of these demands.
“Maladministration issues that are governed by the public protector act must be investigated separately and the delays experienced in the process should not affect the issuing of a report on the alleged bridges of the report. The acting Public protector must arrange for an urgent meeting to account in Parliament on the progress made on the whole investigation,” the memorandum was read by President of the ATM, Vuyo Zungula.
He said the report must be issued in seven calendar days.
“Failing to do so, we will have no other choice but to seek legal remedy,” he said.
Acting Public Protector, advocate Kholeka Gcaleka said: “We shall in seven days respond to these demands in writing and we shall submit them to the leadership,”
