Phala Phala: MK Party calls for formal visit to Ramaphosa’s farm as part of impeachment inquiry

The Impeachment Committee has not ruled out visiting President Cyril Ramaphosa’s Phala Phala farm in Limpopo, as part of its probe into misconduct allegations against him.

The MK Party believes it’s necessary to visit the farm where at least half a million US dollars in cash was stolen in 2020, and which has led to Ramaphosa facing impeachment after his head of protection Major General Wally Rhoode and others, secretly chased after suspects.

Committee chairperson Makashule Gana said while it’s too soon to say whether MPs will most definitely visit the game farm, he’s not discounting the possibility.

Judgment in the burglary trial is due to be handed down in November.

As the 31-member Impeachment Committee seeks to finalise the terms of reference for Parliament’s first impeachment inquiry, MK Party MP Andile Mngxitima has reiterated a request to visit the farm that is at the centre of this probe.

As a matter of principle, as part of the preparatory work, that this committee considers going to Phala Phala itself.

Gana said while it was not necessary to include it in the guidelines, he would give due consideration to the request when the time arises.

When we consider the veracity of the charges, if that’s required, we will then deal with it when we get there. But there’s no evidence that will be disregarded.

For now, the committee is prohibited by a court order from conducting any public hearings in this inquiry as another court showdown looms to appeal that order in the Constitutional Court.