ActionSA to lay criminal charges against Ramaphosa over Phala Phala claims

What ActionSA says it will do

ActionSA plans to open the case at the Bela Bela police station at midday on Wednesday, according to the party. Party figures who will be present include national chair Michael Beaumont, Parliamentary chief whip Lerato Ngobeni, and Limpopo chair Victor Mothemela.

Allegations and charges

Spokesperson Mongezi Ntsebenzo said the party is acting after alleged discrepancies in the amount of money stolen during the February 2020 burglary at Ramaphosa’s Limpopo farm. The party says the true figure was at least R15 million, rather than the previously reported R10 million.

ActionSA intends to lay charges including a violation of the Prevention and Combating of Corrupt Activities Act 12 of 2004 for deliberately not disclosing the amount stolen, plus charges of perjury and fraud for making a false statement about the precise amount taken.

Legal backdrop

The party framed its action in the context of a recent Constitutional Court judgment. As previously reported, the court set aside a 2022 National Assembly vote that had blocked an impeachment inquiry into the Phala Phala matter, and ordered that an impeachment inquiry be established.

Party statement

“These charges will include a violation of the Prevention and Combating of Corrupt Activities Act 12 of 2004 for deliberately not disclosing the amount of money which was stolen,”

“ActionSA will also lay charges of perjury and fraud, for making a false statement on the precise amount of money stolen.”

“The political landscape has shifted. Phala Phala is back in the spotlight after last week’s Constitutional Court ruling.”

The Constitutional Court ruling effectively revived the matter and placed it back before Parliament for further investigation.