Politics

Mix reactions as South Africa’s Parliament meets over President Ramaphosa’s ‘Farmgate’ scandal

Published

2 years ago

December 13, 2022

A parliamentary session has been in South Africa over the findings of an independent panel that says President Cyril Ramaphosa may be guilty of serious violations and misconduct.

The speaker of the National Assembly, Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula, says during the session opening that it will be up to members “to proceed or not to proceed with an enquiry by an impeachment committee of the Assembly.”

The president has been defended by his party men and some of his allies. Communications Minister Khumbudzo Ntshavheni told reporters before entering parliament, “we are going to use our numbers as ANC… because we cannot be dictated to by a panel that has not been objective.”

President Ramaphosa himself has denied any wrongdoing but confirmed that a robbery occurred and an estimated $4 million was stolen at the farm back in 2020, on his game farm.

Ramaphosa is facing scrutiny over a scandal surrounding a substantial theft of money from his Phala Phala game farm in early 2020.

Meanwhile, John Steenhuisen, who is the leader of the largest opposition party, the Democratic Alliance, said condemned Rampahosa’s party effort to influence the proceedings.

“ANC cannot be allowed to use “the tyranny of their majority to protect a president from scrutiny,” Steenhuisen said.

Related Topics:Featured President Cyril Ramaphosa RAMAPHOSA South Africa

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Politics

Burkina Faso releases 4 French spies after Moroccan intervention

Published

8 hours 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

1 day 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.