President Cyril Ramaphosa faces critical allegations from a former intelligence head.
Image: Supplied
President Cyril Ramaphosa has chosen to remain silent in the wake of serious allegations brought forth by former head of the State Security Agency, Arthur Fraser. During an appearance on Mzilikazi wa Africa's podcast, Fraser made a series of stunning claims.
Fraser, the whistleblower, who lodged a criminal complaint against Ramaphosa about the alleged cover-up following a burglary at Phala Phala farm in 2020, has alleged that the president instructed him to resign because he was under pressure from the DA.
Speaking on the Unpopular Opinion podcast, Fraser detailed a conversation where Ramaphosa allegedly told him that he is a liability to the ANC, the government, and to him.
Fraser further alleged that Ramaphosa accused him of having helped Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma's campaign against him at the 2017 ANC Nasrec elective conference.
"So he says, you know, I'm under pressure, I need you to resign, and that's what I'm here to ask you to do'. He then states to me that, 'You know, I'm getting pressure from the DA. I said I understand that political noise, Mr President, and you are a liability to the ANC Commissioner," Fraser stated on the podcast.
The former correctional services commissioner further alleged that he was offered more than R50 million to withdraw his Phala Phala farm case, which he opened with the Rosebank police station in 2022. According to Fraser, the alleged bribery was offered to him 14 days after reporting the Phala Phala theft of more than R4 million in American dollars at the president's farm on June 2, 2022. Fraser alleged that the offer was made to him by slain mafia boss Mark Lifman, who was linked to one of the president's advisors.
"I was offered R50 million plus to make this matter go away and collapse this case. I was also told that I could choose to withdraw the case. It was R50 million, and there was additional money, and that happened on the 15th of June 2022. In fact, it was a blank script where I was told, 'You must put any number'," he stated.
Former head of State Security Agency Arthur Fraser has accused President Cyril Ramaphosa of having requested him to resign as the Commissioner of Correctional Services amid R50 million bribery claims.
Image: Phando Jikelo / Independent Newspapers
Fraser's revelations come just days after the Constitutional Court declared unconstitutional a Parliamentary rule that halted an impeachment process against Ramaphosa. The court further invalidated a vote in the National Assembly in December 2022, where the majority of ANC MPs blocked the adoption of a Section 89 Independent Panel Report that found the president had a case to answer over the Phala Phala farm matter.
Fraser further alleged offer extended beyond money, saying he was promised positions in any department of his choice, stating: "Apart from the R50 million, he indicated that I could choose any department I wanted in government, and they'll give it to me."
He also alleged that Ramaphosa sanctioned the tracing and tracking of Namibian citizens linked to the theft of dollars at his farm. In 2022, the Namibian government confirmed Ramaphosa used public funds to track and bring back some dollars that were stolen from his farm.
"People crossed the border right in the middle of COVID-19, and a multitude of crimes were committed. The people who were party to this thing said it was with the knowledge and the consent of the President," Fraser added.
Attempts to get a comment from the president through his spokesperson, Vincent Magwenya and ANC national spokesperson, Mahlengi Bhengu-Motsiri were unsuccessful at the time of going to print.
Following the judgement, Ramaphosa's office stated that the president "reaffirms his commitment to the Constitution, the independence of the Judiciary and the rule of law", adding that the president had been "consistent in providing his full assistance" to all enquiries into the matter.
"President Ramaphosa maintains that no person is above the law and that any allegations should be subjected to due process without fear, favour or prejudice," his office said in a statement.
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