Phala Phala: Presidency Says Cyril Ramaphosa Did Not Have to Declare Stolen US Dollars, SA Outraged

Tuesday, March 07, 2023 at 9:32 AM by Bianca Lalbahadur

The Presidency says that President Cyril Ramaphosa had no obligation to declare the US dollars stolen from his Phala Phala farm
Earlier, the Democratic Alliance (DA) claimed that they had proof that Ramaphosa lied about the stolen millions
South Africans believe that the Presidency’s claims are outrageous since businesses are legally required to declare transactions

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JOHANNESBURG - South Africans have rubbished claims suggesting it was not President Cyril Ramaphosa’s responsibility to declare the foreign currency stolen from his Phala Phala farm.

President Cyril Ramaphosa did not have to declare his stolen foreign currency — The Presidency said President Cyril Ramaphosa did not have to declare the US dollars stolen from his farm. Image: Amanuel Sileshi & Lefty Shivambu
Source: Getty Images

This comes after the Presidency said the onus of declaring the US dollars fell upon the cattle buyer and not on the management of the farm during receipt of payment. Presidency spokesperson Vincent Magwenya said that Ramaphosa had no obligation to declare the money to the SA Revenue Service (Sars).

DA says it has proof Ramaphosa failed to declare foreign currency

DA leader John Steenhuisen says that the party has proof that Ramaphosa lied about the stolen millions. Sudanese businessman Hazim Mustafa, believed to have purchased the cattle from the president’s farm, previously told eNCA that he declared the cash when he came to South Africa.

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While the revenue service said there were no records of the declaration, it would continue to comply with the Paia provisions. Sars added that if the records are found, Steenhuisen will be given access to them, unless the Paia has grounds for refusal.

Social media users dismiss claims that President Cyril Ramaphosa did not need to declare stolen dollars

@RAYthorpeSA said:

“So there’s no need for me to declare the receipts made from my stock sale? Got it.”

@Zodwaonly commented:

“He was only happy to receive the money and failed to protect the laws of the country he governs.”

@colza91 posted:

“A business never reports/declares any income to Sars anymore? Any business can rather store dollars in couches.”

@ZamaKubheka3 wrote:

“Cyril thinks South Africans are fools.”

@siza_mhayise added:

“Maybe I am slow, but aren't businesses required to declare their income?”

President Cyril Ramaphosa fails ConCourt bid to have Phala Phala report overturned, application dismissed

Briefly News also reported that President Cyril Ramaphosa failed his attempt to have the controversial Phala Phala report overturned after the Constitutional Court unanimously dismissed his application.

Ramaphosa approached the apex court seeking direct access to review the Section 89 independent panel’s findings in the report, News24 reported.