By: Siyabonga Sithole
While calls for President Cyril Ramaphosa continue to grow for him to account to the nation about the 2020 robbery of his farm where robbers made away with over R60 million in foreign currency at his Limpopo Phala Phala Farm, this popular farm will on 18 June host an auction of some of the country's finest Ankole cattle expected to go under the hammer.
Members of the Ankole Cattle Breeders Society of South Africa are preparing for its upcoming National Ankole Auction where over 200 lots of game will be auctioned off to the highest bidders. The auction comes just when the President is in the news for the infamous robbery of the farm on 9 February 2020 where robbers made out with over R60 million in cash kept at the farm by the President.
According to a note by the society on social media, the auction is expected to auction some of the country's best Ankole cattle in the industry. Phala Phala Farm is not the only President's farm participating at the auction as the president’s other farm, Ntaba Nyoni Farm is also set to contribute two bulls and two Ankole cattle on the day of the auction.
“On Saturday, the 18th of June is the second National Ankole Auction at Phala Phala Farm, Limpopo and is one of the best Ankole offerings yet. Some of the top Ankole in the industry will be on offer as well as their offerings and genetics. The standard from all sellers is high,” the note reads.
Lauren James from the Ankole Cattle Breeders Society of South Africa confirmed the auction at the Phala Phala Farm but referred this newspaper to her senior, Jacque Malan who said the preparations for the auction are well underway and the auction has no bearing what is happening in the media.
“The auction will continue as planned. This is not the President's auction but the Ankole Cattle Breeders Society of South Africa's auction. We will not stop the auction because of what is happening in the media,” Malan told this newspaper.
According to Business Insider, President Ramaphosa fell in love with the Ankole cattle following his trip to Uganda over two decades ago. Since then, Ramaphosa has gone to become one of the biggest Ankole cattle breeder in the country. It is expected that more than 200 lots of cattle will go under the hammer with more than 15 guest sellers participating at the Phalaphala auction.
A R500 booking fee required to take part in the upcoming auction with a live or online option available to participants.
The spotlight on the farm comes after allegations by former state security agency boss Arthur Fraser, who last week opened a case against the President following implications that Ramaphosa had failed to report a case of robbery and theft of large sums of money which were stolen from his Phala Phala Farm in 2020. Since then, opposition parties have been calling for Ramaphosa's head amid calls for the president to step aside or resign from office.
The website of the farm says Phala Phala Farm and Wildlife is “decidedly a rare game breeder of the future" which is focused on acquiring the best genetics in buffalo, white impala, sable antelope, roan antelope and golden Oryx species under the sun.
The Ntabanyoni Farm which is located in Mpumalanga, Badplaas is part of the Emanzana and falls under Albert Luthuli Local Municipality. Early this year, CAF president and businessman, Patrice Motsepe bought four Ankole cattle from the president at the annual auction held at Ntaba Nyoni farm.
The Star