The burglary scandal angers the top of the state

An emergency meeting, cancellation of a press conference, and postponing questions in Parliament: The day after the publication of a parliamentary report Clearing the way for a procedure to impeach the scandal-stricken president, a summit of the South African country sparked an uproar Thursday.

President Cyril Ramaphosa”can commitViolations and errors, concluded in a report published Wednesday evening a parliamentary commission responsible for investigating the dark burglary case that embarrasses the president before an election date crucial for his political future. The ruling African National Congress (ANC) meets in mid-December to appoint its next leader. Whoever emerges victorious will become head of state at the end of The 2024 general election, if the ANC, facing mounting disappointment, wins the ballot.

The impeachment proceedings will have no chance of success

The day after the publication of the report, which clearly stunned the Ramaphosa camp, the National Executive Committee (NEC) at the head of the party announced an emergency meeting. According to a senior official, the discussion will unsurprisingly focus on the scandal. So far, internal voting procedures appear to be quietly running their course. The party’s announcement last week that only two presidential candidates were running has eased tensions somewhat. Cyril Ramaphosa arrived long before former health minister, Zweli Mkhize, the way seemed clear.

The president is now suspended from the decision of parliament in extraordinary session on Tuesday to consider the recommendations of the report which he is not obligated to follow but which may lead him to start the process of voting to impeach the head of state. . However, this measure, if launched, would have little chance of success, as Cyril Ramaphosa’s ANC enjoys a comfortable majority in parliament. But the case greatly weakens the would-be head of state on the corruption front he has sworn to eradicate. Calls to resign have multiplied from the opposition and members of the African National Congress.

Following the release of the report, the Presidency immediately called for “Careful reading and proper consideration“From the document,”In the interests of the stability of the government and the countryPromised ads.At the exact timeBut for the time being you seem to want to calm down. Thursday press briefingAddress current issues of interest to the public and the mediaIt was canceled. And soon a question session for the speaker in the Senate was adjourned. In recent months, sessions in Parliament have been stormy for Cyril Ramaphosa, who has been violently attacked on suspicion of embezzlement.

$580,000 under the sofa cushions

The case dates back to 2020. In February, thieves broke into one of his luxury properties. Wads of cash were found under the sofa cushions. The head of state is accused of having preferred not to report the incident to the police or tax authority. Cyril Ramaphosa”categorically deny“Oh my. In an official statement to the committee that was leaked on the day the parliamentary report was submitted, he detailed his version of the facts.

According to him, a Sudanese businessman bought buffaloes in his field, where he raises game and livestock, in the north-east of the country. He chose the one he loved and paid the amount of $ 580,000 in cashThe chief explains. The money was hiddenUnder the sofa cushions in a little used room‘, by an employee who deemed this hiding place safer than the security of property. Cyril Ramaphosa is also the subject of a criminal investigation by South Africa’s elite police unit, the Falcons.

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