President Cyril Ramphosa has spoken out about Arthur Fraser’s claims of theft against him last week.
The president declared at the ANC’s Provincial Conference in Limpopo that he has never stolen money from anyone because his integrity as a leader would not allow him to.
This comes as the former head of the State Security Agency filed criminal charges against Ramaphosa, claiming that he has proof that the president not only knew about the theft, but also covered it.
Kidnapping, undermining the ends of justice, and bribery are among the charges leveled against the president.
Ramaphosa is accused of stealing an estimated $4 million (R62 million) from his Limpopo farm.
The burglary, according to Arthur Fraser, occurred on February 9, 2020.
He then accuses the president of bribing the thieves in exchange for their quiet.
The president claimed over the weekend that he runs a profitable game and cattle business on his Limpopo farm, where money is transferred in cash or by wireless transfers.
“The amount that is brandished in the media is far less, some are casting aspersions about me and the money. I want to assure you, that all this was money from the proceeds of the sales of animals. I have never stolen money from anyone, be it from our taxpayers, from anyone, I have never done so. My integrity as a leader will never allow me to do so.”
Meanwhile, Major-General Wally Rhoode, the head of the SAPS protection section, did not report the crime to the authorities.
According to reports, Ramaphosa’s spokesman, Vincent Magwenya, stated that he was unable to explain or discuss why Rhoode failed to disclose the incident.
The Democratic Alliance now wants the South African Reserve Bank and SARS to look into the case further and see if the $4 million was declared.