Cape Town - The controversial Sudanese businessman who apparently bought 20 buffalo at President Cyril Ramaphosa’s Phala Phala farm appears to have contradicted the embattled president’s version of why the animals – allegedly purchased three years ago – have yet to be collected
In an interview with Sky News, Mustafa Hazim told the British media house that delays brought on by the Covid-19 pandemic had restricted the transportation of the animals.
“When we did the deal, they were supposed to prepare the animals for export. Then the Covid-19 lockdown happened, and there was delay after delay after delay,” Sky quoted Mustafa saying.
“It took too long, so I didn’t get my money back, but there is an understanding that I will be refunded,” he added.
But his version of the failure to have the animals delivered contradicts what Ramaphosa told the Section 89 panel.
He had claimed that Hazim, who was travelling with a large amount of cash and purchased the buffaloes for about $580 000 (R9.9 million) in cash, could not afford the administration costs.
In its report the panel of experts, led by retired and respected Chief Justice Sandile Ngcobo, observed: “However, to the extent that this is the explanation, we find it difficult to understand why the costs of administration and facilitation of the export of the animals would be considered ‘high’ in light of the amount that was paid for the 20 buffalo.
“We would have expected Mr Hazim to have carried sufficient cash to pay for the costs of administration and facilitation of export of these animals.
“Who was to be responsible for these costs, Mr Hazim or the farm? Regrettably, the acknowledgment of receipt is silent on whether the purchase price included other costs associated with the export of the animals, or who was to be responsible for those costs,” said the report.
“Nor do we understand how the housebreaking affected the delivery of the buffalo. Without more information, we are unable to accept this explanation.
The leaving of animals on the farm for over two years after paying more than half a million US dollars for them, the absence of particulars of Mr Hazim in the acknowledgement of receipt, the lack of explanation as to what was to become of these animals, raise substantial doubt about the sale transaction itself,” stated the panel’s report.
The Cape Times has spent weeks in attempts to establish Hazim’s identity and whereabouts.
He reportedly owns an unnamed CAF football club, and has ties with former Sudanese leader Omar al Bashir, who was sentenced to two years for corruption.
Hazim had reportedly declared the foreign currency at the OR Tambo International Airport. It was subsequently stolen from Ramaphosa’s farm after it was concealed in a sofa following the alleged sale of the buffalo.
Asked to confirm the declaration, SA Revenue Service spokesperson Anton Fisher said: “SARS is prohibited by law from divulging confidential taxpayer information.”
Ramaphosa is fighting for his political career, with mounting calls from opposition parties within the ANC for him to be hauled before an impeachment committee when the panel’s report is debated on at the National Assembly next week.
The ANC has instructed its MPs to vote against the adoption of the report, while Ramaphosa has filed a legal challenge to have it reviewed and set aside.
Meanwhile, all eyes will be on the ANC’s integrity committee on Friday, as it is expected to announce its decision on whether President Cyril Ramaphosa’s Phala Phala scandal has brought the party into disrepute.
An ANC national executive committee (NEC) member who attended Monday’s meeting said there was very little confidence that any ANC processes would hold Ramaphosa to account, especially after contradicting views were shut down at the meeting.
“There were at least 35 members who wanted to ask questions, but the meeting was closed and they walked away. Mbeki was furious, and so were Dlamini Zuma, Zweli Mkhize and Sisulu.”
“There is a feeling that nothing will happen internally and through ANC processes, and this issue will be raised at the elective conference,” the NEC member said.
Senior ANC sources say the integrity committee can bring into play the contentious and controversial step-aside resolution, but can only do this with the express permission of the NEC, which has already made clear its stance on Ramaphosa.
Political analyst Professor Bheki Mngomezulu said he did not expect anything dramatic from the integrity committee.
“We find with most issues regarding the president, the committee does not rule against him.”
“The National Working Committee and special NEC meeting was supposed to support and allow the parliamentary process to continue, but instead defended the president,” Mngomezulu said.
Cape Times
Additional reporting by Kuben Chetty