South African president, Cyril Ramaphosa has officially been served with a section 7(9) notice. In a letter addressed to the Democratic Alliance, Public Protector Busisiwe Mkhwebane confirmed that the president was served the notice on the 30th of May. The 7(9) notice compels the recipient to respond within ten days. According to the letter, Ramaphosa requested an extension to June 28. The Public Protector only gave him until the 21st of June.
President Cyril Ramaphosa was served with the notice with regards to the $33 526.90 that was paid by Bosasa CEO Gavin Watson to Ramaphosa’s presidential campaign. Mkhwebane seeks to investigate whether the president misled parliament on purpose about the $33 526.90 donation from African Global Operations formerly known as Bosasa. The president’s son, Andile Ramaphosa reportedly received a $134 319.00 payment from the controversial company.
Ramaphosa had initially said that the $33 526 was paid to his son for services rendered in terms of a consultancy contract between Andile and Bosasa. Andile later denied to News24 about receiving that money. The DA requested to see the contract and invoice for $33 526.90 financial consulting services provided by Andile Ramaphosa to Bosasa.
In a letter to National Assembly Speaker Baleka Mbete, the president said that the payment was a donation to his presidential campaign. At that stage, he said that the money was not for financial consulting services provided by his son. Ramaphosa said that the donation was made without his knowledge and that he was not aware of the existence of the donation at the time he answered the question in the National Assembly.
Bosasa chairperson, Joe Gumede responded to DA saying that there was no record of a contract or invoice for the $33 526.90 in question for financial consulting services provided by Andile Ramaphosa to Bosasa.
DA Mmusi Maimane lodge a complaint to which Mkhwebane responded by launching a probe into Ramaphosa. The presidency stated that the $33 526.90 had no connection to the $134 319.00 received by Andile from Bosasa. When asked by Mmusi Maimane in parliament “How much has your son received from Bosasa which has had a generally corrupt relationship with your party?” The president said “The Public Protector is busy with this whole matter and all information has been submitted to the Public Protector, myself, a number of people as well as my sons,”
The president requested an extension so that he could cross-examine witnesses including Mmusi Maimane. Economic Freedom Fighters deputy president, Floyd Shivambu reportedly accused Ramaphosa of resorting to intimidatory tactics against witnesses. On Wednesday, Shivambu told The Star “The president must dispute the facts presented to him and should avoid on intimidatory tactic of threatening complainants,”
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