Politics

South African President Ramaphosa denies ever stealing money anywhere

Published

3 years ago

June 7, 2022

South African President Cyril Ramaphosa has broken his silence following an allegation by a former head of the country’s intelligence agency, Arthur Fraser, who accused him of kidnapping, bribery and attempting to steal the sum of $4 million in 2020.

Last Wednesday, Fraser had filed a legal complaint against Ramaphosa in which he accused the President of “kidnapping and bribing robbers who stole millions of dollars from one of his properties” in a bid to “conceal the crime from the South African police service and the South African revenue service.”

In the court filing, Fraser, a strong ally of Ramaphosa’s predecessor, Jacob Zuma, said he had ample evidence to prove his accusations of criminal charges against the President.

But after maintaining silence for a week, Ramaphosa decided to give a fire back at Fraser following a response from the presidency which did not do much to assuage the feelings of the people.

In a Twitter response to Fraser’s accusations, Ramaphosa confirmed that there was indeed a robbery at his farm in 2020 in which “proceeds from the sale of game were stolen.”

I have never stolen money from anyone. My integrity as a leader will never allow me to do so. pic.twitter.com/CTdnj25w6a

— Cyril Ramaphosa 🇿🇦 (@CyrilRamaphosa) June 5, 2022

Ramaphosa explained that as a farmer, he frequently bought and sold cattle and people often paid in cash, but he denied that the amount stolen was anywhere near the $4m Fraser quoted.

“All this was money from proceeds from selling animals… I have never stolen money from anywhere… and will never do so.”

Ramaphosa who replaced Zuma as South Africa’s President in 2018 after Zuma was forced to step down amid corruption allegations, has been having a running battle with many of Zuma’s loyalists after his government decided to clamp down on the former head of state which led to his indictment and subsequent imprisonment.

Fraser who is now South Africa’s head of Correctional Service, got himself into hot water last year when he unilaterally ordered Zuma’s release from prison on medical probation barely months into his 15 months jail term for failing to appear before a judicial panel.

Ramaphosa has made combatting corruption a priority of his government but his efforts have been marred by a plethora of allegations of corruption against him, notably from the Zuma camp.

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Politics

Burkina Faso releases 4 French spies after Moroccan intervention

Published

2 days ago

December 20, 2024

Ifeoluwa Dada

In a diplomatic spat over their imprisonment, France and Morocco announced Thursday that four French nationals detained in Burkina Faso for a year had been freed after mediation from Morocco.

They were spies, according to a prior statement made by the director of France’s foreign intelligence organisation, the DGSE.

A request for comment was not answered by the DGSE or a representative of the French military, which is in charge of the agency.

Since December 2023, they have been held in Ouagadougou.

President Emmanuel Macron hailed King Mohammed of Morocco on Wednesday for his intervention, “which made possible the liberation of our four countrymen who had been held in Burkina Faso for a year,” according to a statement from the French administration.

King Mohammed and President Ibrahim Traore of Burkina Faso were also commended by Morocco’s foreign ministry, which stated that “this humanitarian act” was made possible by their positive bilateral ties.

In October, France made peace with Morocco, one of its former protectorates, after three years of hostilities between Paris and Rabat stoked by immigration concerns and the disputed Western Sahara region.

Morocco offers Burkina Faso and other military-ruled Sahel republics Atlantic trade.

However, France’s relations with former West and Central African colonies, such as Burkina Faso, remain difficult. In Ouagadougou, French troops and diplomats were ejected, the defence attache and ambassador were asked to depart, and certain French media were suspended.

The military junta that took control in 2022 in Burkina Faso has been criticized by international rights groups for cracking down on free expression and harassing dissidents to handle a security crisis precipitated by Al Qaeda and Islamic State extremists.

Politics

Ghana: President-elect Mahama appoints anti-corruption team

Published

3 days ago

December 19, 2024

Ifeoluwa Dada

According to a statement released by his transition team on Wednesday, Ghana’s President-elect, John Dramani Mahama, has designated an anti-corruption committee to investigate allegations of wrongdoing.

When he takes office next month, Mahama, the leading opposition candidate in the presidential election held on December 7 and who received almost 56% of the vote, has pledged to reclaim the proceeds of corruption and hold those responsible for it accountable.

In anticipation, an anti-graft squad has been established. The parliament’s Committee on Assurances, which has previously raised suspicions of governmental corruption, is chaired by MP Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwah.

An investigative journalist, a private attorney, a former auditor general, and a former police officer with experience in high-profile robbery cases make up the other three members.

After looking into alleged financial irregularities that took place during the previous administration, Daniel Dumelovo, the former auditor general, was fired.

Recovering lost assets and fighting corruption were two of Mahama’s main campaign pledges.

“He intends to hit the ground running on these commitments,” the statement said.

Eight years after leaving office, former President Mahama is back to head the West African country. Despite not being personally contaminated, he faced criticism during his 2012–2016 administration due to claims of political corruption.