SIYABONGA SITHOLE
Parliament's joint standing committee on intelligence has been asked to investigate the possible involvement of Deputy State Security Minister Zizi Kodwa in keeping the Phala Phala farm matter secret.
In a letter dated August 5, 2022, National Assembly Speaker Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula suggests that Kodwa might have been aware of the use of state security funds and other resources to protect President Cyril Ramaphosa. The letter is addressed to chairperson of the joint committee on intelligence Jerome Joseph Maake.
This is after DA leader John Steenhuisen had requested the establishment of an ad hoc committee to investigate a series of allegations against President Cyril Ramaphosa over the Phala Phala farm scandal.
These include allegations of kidnapping, money laundering, contravening tax laws and the executive ethics code. The allegations against the president stem from the Phala Phala farm robbery on February 20, 2020 when Namibian thieves made away with more than R60 million in foreign currency. The robbery, which has threatened Ramaphosa's prospects of a second term, was not reported. Instead, state resources were used to pursue the criminals clandestinely.
In her letter, Mapisa-Nqakula pointed out two allegations which she said needed to be looked at by the joint standing committee on intelligence.
“That the deputy state security minister, Zizi Kodwa, knew about the Phala Phala farm robbery and opted to keep the matter a state secret, rather than reporting the matter to the appropriate authorities. It has also been alleged that Kodwa accompanied Major General Wally Rhoode, the head of Presidential Protection Unit, during secret interactions between South African and Namibian authorities,” the Speaker wrote.
The second allegation against Kodwa pertains to the alleged use of a secret fund to guard Ramaphosa’s farm.
“Reports emerged that a secret crime intelligence fund was used to finance the undercover operations which traced the thieves, with the goal of recovering the stolen money. It has been alleged that almost R2 million a month from the fund was spent on an elite task force to guard President Cyril Ramaphosa’s private game farm. Should this be true, this would constitute a flagrant abuse of our taxpayers' money,” Mapisa-Nqakula said.