Phala Phala Farm Theft: ANC Wants Parliament to Stop Investigating Because There’s No Cover-Up

• The African National Congress told parliament that it is unnecessary to set up an ad hoc committee to probe into the Phala Phala farm burglary
• A DA-led coalition echoed calls for parliament to probe the farm theft during a mini-debate on Tuesday, 27 September
• The ANC assured parliament that it would not conceal what happened during the robbery, but it must wait for external investigations to be concluded

CAPE TOWN - The African National Congress rejected the calls for a parliamentary probe into the Phala Phala theft during a mini-debate in parliament on Tuesday, 27 September.

The ANC claimed the Democratic Alliance-led coalition call for a parliamentary ad hoc committee probe was an attempt on the part of the opposition party to try and pre-empt external investigations currently in progress. The investigations the party is referring to are the ones by the Hawks, Public Protector and the South African Reserve Bank (Sarb)

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Though the ruling party has vehemently opposed the probe, it assured parliament that the ANC had no interest in helping President Cyril Ramaphosa evade accountability and promised there would be no cover-up of what occurred during the farm theft, EWN reported.

The ANC MP Cyril Xaba said that Parliament should wait for the various authorities to conclude their investigation so that parliament has all the facts surrounding the burglary.

According to Daily Maverick, the ANC also attempted to change the narrative surrounding the Phala Phala saga by accusing the DA of victim-blaming. ANC MP and programming whip Mina Lesoma said the DA is trying to push Parliament to investigate a person who is a victim of a crime.

South Africans weigh in on the ANC's resistance to a parliamentary probe

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South Africans are convinced that the ANC is shielding Ramaphosa in the same way it protected Jacob Zuma during the Nkandla saga.

@TebohoSelepe1 commented:

"Correction: ANC blocks parly, to protect and prevent accountability, promote corruption and to show South African citizens middle finger."

President Cyril Ramaphosa set to head back to parliament over unanswered Phala Phala questions

In a related matter, Briefly News reported that following an abysmal question-and-answer session on Tuesday, 30 August, National Assembly Speaker Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula says she plans to write to President Cyril Ramaphosa. The pair must determine when Ramaphosa can answer the remaining questions related to the Phala Phala scandal.

The session adjourned after Mapisa-Nqakula asked chief whips from the various political parties to find a solution on the way forward regarding the unanswered questions. However, they were unable to reach an agreement.

The president is due back on Thursday, 29 September, to answer more questions. Deputy Chief Whip of the African National Congress (ANC) Doris Dlakude recommend that the unanswered questions should be answered at the next session. The suggestion was rejected by opposition parties.

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Source: Briefly News