Politics

Farmgate: South Africa’s Ramaphosa cleared of corruption

Published

1 year ago

June 30, 2023

South African President, Cyril Ramaphosa has been cleared of corruption regarding the reported half a million dollars in cash stolen from his game farm last year.

According to a watchdog report, a receipt for the stolen sum pertaining to the sale of buffalo was provided, and the transaction occurred while the president was not present at the ranch, although the watchdog’s probe did not cover the issue of whether the money was reported to tax authorities or not.

The claim that Ramaphosa breached his oath of office or put himself at risk of a conflict between his constitutional obligations and his personal interests was unsupported by facts, the report found.

In November, a report by a panel of experts found preliminary evidence the president may have violated the constitution over a stash of foreign currency hidden at his private game farm.

It followed allegations by a former spy chief last year in a sworn statement that thieves had taken at least $4 million in foreign cash hidden in furniture on Ramaphosa’s Phala Phala game farm in February 2020.

But the ruling party, African National Congress (ANC) showed indication that it would stand by Ramaphosa as it told the country’s lawmakers to reject a report that President Ramaphosa may have committed misconduct in the scandal.

Ramaphosa was almost impeached during the heat of the farmgate scandal late last year.

Related Topics:Farmgate President Cyril Ramaphosa South Africa

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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.