Ramaphosa Leaked Audio Recording: Bantu Holomisa Says President Must Explain Content, Public Protector Agrees

• Bantu Holomisa shared his opinion on the alleged leaked audio recording of President Cyril Ramaphosa speaking about the misuse of state funds by the ruling party
• Holomisa wants the president to explain his statements about how the African National Congress reportedly used state funds to finance political campaigns
• The Public Protector has taken a similar view to Holomisa and wants Ramaphosa to explain himself publicly

JOHANNESBURG - Bantu Holomisa, the leader of the United Democratic Movement (UDM), has responded to the alleged remarks made by President Cyril Ramaphosa in a rumoured leaked audio recording.

Apparently, the president reveals how the African National Congress (ANC) used state funds to finance its political campaigns, but Ramaphosa allegedly adds that he will go to extremes to avoid implicating any individuals in these accusations.

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According to eNCA, Holomisa wants Ramaphosa to publicly announce to South Africa what he meant in the rumoured audio, how long he has known the information and to name guilty parties explicitly.

Public Protector responds to alleged leaked audio recording of Ramaphosa

Busisiwe Mkhwebane, the Public Protector, announced that she would like to act on statements made by Ramaphosa in the reported leaked audio recording, IOL reports. Her decision follows a similar one made by Scopa yesterday (26 January) to give the president 10 days to answer.

“If the complaint is lodged under the Executive Members Ethics Act, we must investigate and cannot wait for Scopa processes, but if it is lodged under the Public Protector Act, then we can allow the Scopa process to take its course,” Mkhwebane said.

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Scopa has approached the auditor-general's office to investigate if any misuse of state funds occurred within ANC political campaigns. However, Scopa is still waiting for the results of this probe.

South Africans reply to Holomisa's request to Ramaphosa

@m_maduna believes:

"He will never do that, he's not ready to be accountable."

@AubMagz remarked:

"He’s above scrutiny mos."

@Black_promoZAR asked:

"When are we going to see opposition parties marching against Ramaposa?"

@AfricasThoughts shared:

"Cyril’s knowledge of the misuse of state funds and refusal to report to the relevant authorities is a crime within itself."

@N_Kwankwa said:

"Indeed, he must account to the entire nation."

@Martini06031747 remarked:

"Holomisa, please keep quiet."

Ramaphosa given 10 days to defend leaked audio revealing ANC using State funds

In earlier news about this case, Briefly News reported that President Cyril Ramaphosa was heard in an alleged leaked audio recording revealing that the African National Congress used state funds to pay for their political campaigns.

Read also

Ramaphosa publicly acknowledges problems facing the ANC, cites factionalism and state capture

Ramaphosa has been given 10 days by Parliament's standing committee on public accounts (Scopa) to explain what he meant in his remarks. This is also an opportunity for the president to verify if the leaked audio is authentic.

The specific campaign that Ramaphosa reportedly refers to is his 2017 run for president of South Africa. According to eNCA, Ramaphosa mentions in the recording that he would go to extremes to avoid the public knowing the truth about his campaign donations.

Source: Briefly News