Police minister accused of protecting Ramaphosa

The African Transformation Movement (ATM) is calling on the Minister of Police to immediately declassify the Independent Police Investigative Directorate (IPID) report on PhalaPhala and give South Africans the transparency they deserve.

In a written response to ATM’s parliamentary question, Minister Senzo Mchunu refused to release the report, saying it was top secret. He did not give reasons for why the report was classified.

IPID investigated the conduct of the Presidential Protection Service investigating the Phala Phala farm saga.

The secrecy surrounding the unit’s report has frustrated both ATM and the EFF, who have been pushing for answers.

The parties want President Cyril Ramaphosa to be held accountable for the undisclosed foreign currency stolen from his Limpopo farm in 2020.

The skeleton came tumbling out of the cupboard after former spy boss, Arthur Fraser, pressed charges against the President and the head of the Presidential protection unit, Major General Wally Rhoode in 2022. He accused them of money laundering, corruption and acting in contravention of the Prevention of Organised Crime Act.

Fraser claimed they had tried to conceal the theft of $580 00 from the Ramaphosa’s farm.

It seemed like it was the end of the matter last October when the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) said it would not prosecute the pair.

The Public Protector and the Reserve Bank’s had also cleared the President of any wrong doing in the scandal and made their reports public.

But, ATM National Spokesperson, Zama Ntshona, says they won’t stop pushing for accountability and justice.

 

Ntshona accuses Minister Mchunu of protecting President Ramaphosa.

“The ATM will not stand idly by while Minister Mchunu plays the role of the President’s enabler, sidestepping the truth to protect his political ally. The report’s classification should not take precedence over the public’s right to know how state resources are being utilised, especially when the implications involve the highest office in the land. This situation requires urgent attention, and it is imperative that the Minister is held accountable for his complicity in this cover-up,” adds Ntshona.

The EFF has also weighed in, describing Mchunu’s move as a ‘systematic cover-up’.

The EFF Statement on Police Minister’s Refusal to Release IPID Report on Phala Phala

-The classification of the IPID report as “top secret” is just the latest chapter in this systematic cover-up. The Police Minister’s refusal to release it is an insult to democracy and a direct… pic.twitter.com/unpWP1aq4w

— Economic Freedom Fighters (@EFFSouthAfrica) March 5, 2025