Parliament is yet to take decisive steps to uncover the truth about President Cyril Ramaphosa’s international Phala Phala farm robbery scandal, after a second attempt by opposition parties to have Ramaphosa be held accountable has been unsuccessful.

A Cape Times report says all eyes remain on Ramaphosa as the nation eagerly awaits the truth about millions of US dollars allegedly ‘concealed’ in furniture at his farm and which was stolen by a gang who broke into his Limpopo property two years ago.

National Assembly Speaker Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula at the weekend confirmed she had declined a request by DA leader John Steenhuisen to set up an ad hoc committee to investigate allegations of theft at Ramaphosa’s game farm.

Parliament spokesperson Moloto Mothapo said: ‘The Speaker declined the request arguing that rule 253 sets out requirements for the establishment of an ad hoc committee, and one of them is the performance of a specific task. While the request proposes a committee on Phala Phala, it goes on to list various distinct tasks for investigation. In the nature of the proposed investigation, this is understandable. However, some of the tasks proposed are arguably still within the purview of other entities or institutions, including law enforcement, and may indeed necessitate Parliament’s attention in due course. At this stage, the various components raised by Mr Steenhuisen for parliamentary intervention are better suited for attention by the existing parliamentary oversight structures.’

The Speaker also declined a motion by the African Transformation Movement (ATM) to remove the President in terms of section 89 of the Constitution.

In terms of the ATM request, Mothapo added: ‘In her letter to Mr Vuyo Zungula of the ATM, the Speaker explained that from reading his submission, she was unable to determine which of the listed grounds in section 89(1) was he relying on.’

Full Cape Times report