JOHANNESBURG: South Africaformer President Jacob, accused of corruption Zuma on Saturday accused his successor, Cyril Ramaphosa, of corruption and treason following a scandal involving the theft of money from the latter’s farm.
In his first reaction to allegations earlier this year that Ramaphosa covered up a multi-million dollar cash theft from his luxury farmhouse, Zuma said the “president is corrupt”.
“Your president has committed treason,” he told a press conference in Johannesburg. “No president should conduct private business while in office.”
“It is inconsistent with the oath of office taken by (the) president.
“Our country’s problems are too big for a president who is busy hustling to the side.”
The scandal erupted in June after former national spy chief Arthur fraser filed a police complaint alleging thieves broke into the Phala Phala farm in Ramaphosa, in the northeast of the country, where they found and stole $4 million in cash hidden in furniture.
Fraser, who is an ally of Zuma, alleged that Ramaphosa concealed the theft from police and tax authorities, and instead arranged for the robbers to be kidnapped and interrogated, then bribed them to keep quiet.
The president admitted a burglary but denies the kidnapping and bribery charges, saying he reported the break-in to the police.
He also disputed the amount of money involved and said the money came from legitimate game sales from his cattle farm.
South Africa’s anti-corruption watchdog and police have opened investigations, but Zuma said there was “silence over the numerous crimes against the current president”.
The case has mounted pressure on the president amid heightened tensions within the ruling African National Congress party, as Ramaphosa is set to seek a second term at the party’s end-of-year conference.
In his first reaction to allegations earlier this year that Ramaphosa covered up a multi-million dollar cash theft from his luxury farmhouse, Zuma said the “president is corrupt”.
“Your president has committed treason,” he told a press conference in Johannesburg. “No president should conduct private business while in office.”
“It is inconsistent with the oath of office taken by (the) president.
“Our country’s problems are too big for a president who is busy hustling to the side.”
The scandal erupted in June after former national spy chief Arthur fraser filed a police complaint alleging thieves broke into the Phala Phala farm in Ramaphosa, in the northeast of the country, where they found and stole $4 million in cash hidden in furniture.
Fraser, who is an ally of Zuma, alleged that Ramaphosa concealed the theft from police and tax authorities, and instead arranged for the robbers to be kidnapped and interrogated, then bribed them to keep quiet.
The president admitted a burglary but denies the kidnapping and bribery charges, saying he reported the break-in to the police.
He also disputed the amount of money involved and said the money came from legitimate game sales from his cattle farm.
South Africa’s anti-corruption watchdog and police have opened investigations, but Zuma said there was “silence over the numerous crimes against the current president”.
The case has mounted pressure on the president amid heightened tensions within the ruling African National Congress party, as Ramaphosa is set to seek a second term at the party’s end-of-year conference.
