President Cyril Ramaphosa on Saturday said he “acknowledges that while there is much public interest and concern about claims made in a criminal complaint against him, he remains firmly focused on the task of rebuilding the economy and the country”.
Ramaphosa was responding – for the second time in as many days – to highly publicised reports that former spy boss Arthur Fraser laid a criminal complaint with the South African Police Service against the President.
Fraser alleges that Ramaphosa concealed from the police and the SA Revenue Service (SARS) a robbery of more than four million US dollars at his Phala Phala farm in Waterberg.
In his initial response on Thursday, Ramaphosa said the accusations had “no basis”.
The matter has attracted the interest of the Democratic Alliance, which has requested SARS to probe the matter.
However, on Saturday the Presidency issued a second statement on the matter saying, “The President reaffirms that he was not involved in any criminal conduct, and once again pledges his full cooperation with any police investigation.
“He confirms that following the incident in February 2020, security has been improved around his homes.
“Due to the possible investigation, the Presidency will not be in a position to engage further on the detail of the matters, and urges that due process be allowed to take its course.
“The President affirms his commitment to fighting corruption and professionalising law enforcement agencies to better serve and respond to public needs.”
The Presidency said Ramaphosa is looking forward to the “Presidency budget vote speech, which will be an opportunity for him to update the nation on the key priorities he outlined in his State of the Nation Address”.
