Politics

Panel probing South African President over Phala Phala Farm scandal to submit make or mar report Thursday

Published

2 years ago

November 16, 2022

An independent probe panel set up by the South African parliament to investigate the involvement or otherwise of President Cyril Ramaphosa on the scandal that rocked his Phala Phala Farm, is expected to submit its final report on Thursday.

The panel of experts which was formed after a preliminary investigative committee had submitted a motion of no confidence against Ramaphosa, was tasked to determine whether the President has a case to answer regarding the scandal.

The Phala Phala Farm scandal was brought to public knowledge after a former South Africa spy boss, Arthur Fraser, laid a criminal charge against Ramaphosa and former head of the Presidential Protection Unit, Wally Rhoode, accusing the of allegedly kidnapping and torturing five men and a woman to reveal where they had hidden over $4 million stolen from the president’s farm.

After weeks of debate, leader of parliament, Vuyo Zungula submitted the motion for the National Assembly to initiate a Section 89 inquiry into Ramaphosa’s removal on the grounds of serious violation of the Constitution or the law and serious misconduct.

The motion was supported by opposition parties including the EFF and UDM and the panel was set to decide on whether there should be a Section 89 inquiry established.

“The purpose of the panel is to say, based on information before them, if there is prima facie evidence that warrants Parliament to look into the matter, if this is the case when the report is handed over, members of Parliament will then receive a report and will have an opportunity to look at it and go to the House and have it debated and adopted,” National Assembly Speaker Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula, had said while inaugurating the panel.

If the motion is adopted on submission of the report, the Parliament will then set up an impeachment inquiry that will call the president and the head of the Presidential Protection Unit to appear before it.

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Politics

Burkina Faso releases 4 French spies after Moroccan intervention

Published

3 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

4 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.