President Cyril Ramaphosa has dismissed as untrue claims by former State Security Agency head Arthur Fraser who layed criminal charges against him on Wednesday over an alleged theft of millions in hard currency.
Presidential spokesperson Vincent Magwenya said, in a statement released on Thursday, Ramaphosa is clear that there is no basis for the claims of criminal conduct that have been made against him in Fraser’s statement.
“The Presidency can confirm that a robbery took place at the president’s farm in Limpopo on or around 9 February 2020 in which proceeds from the sale of game were stolen,” read part of the statement.
According to Magwenya, the president was away in Ethiopia attending an African Union Summit in Addis Ababa at the time the incident occurred.
“On being advised of the robbery, President Ramaphosa reported the incident to the head of the Presidential Protection Unit of the South African Police Service for investigation,” he said.
“President Ramaphosa stands ready to co-operate with any law-enforcement investigation of these matters.”
The statement said Ramaphosa remains resolute in leading the fight against corruption, restoring the integrity and capability of public institutions and overcoming the legacy of state capture and will not be deterred by disinformation campaigns.
Fraser claims the charges relate to over US$4-million (R62.4-million) that was stolen and concealed within the premises of the president’s Phala Phala Farm in Waterberg.
He alleges the criminals colluded with Ramaphosa’s domestic worker to carry out the plan.
Fraser says the president allegedly concealed the crime from the police or the SA Revenue Authority and paid the culprits for their silence.
The former spy boss now wants Ramaphosa to be charged with defeating the ends of justice, kidnapping of suspects, their interrogation on his property and bribery.
Fraser says the alleged conduct of the president and those involved constituted a breach of, among others, the Prevention of Organised Crime Act and the Prevention of Corrupt Activities Act.
Fraser says he has submitted to the police all the supporting evidence, including photographs, bank accounts, video footage and names of those involved. – Staff Reporter