John Steenhuisen steps down as DA federal leader, citing a stronger party and "mission accomplished

Ramaphosa denies involvement in alleged Phala Phala cover-up after IPID report details theft

President Cyril Ramaphosa has denied any involvement in unauthorized investigations related to the 2020 theft at his Phala Phala Game Reserve. The 2023 Independent Police Investigative Directorate IPID report revealed details into the Phala Phala farmgate scandal, stating that Major General Wally Rhoode, head of Ramaphosa’s police security unit, deliberately concealed the theft of $580,000 in cash from the president’s farm. According to the report, Ramaphosa informed Rhoode in 2020 about the break-in and theft, but a case number was only registered with the police two years later after public exposure by former State Security Agency director-general Arthur Fraser. The IPID report recommends disciplinary action against Rhoode and Constable Hlulani Rekhoto for concealing the crime and failing to report it. Ramaphosa stated, "I had nothing to do with it. So, that is a process, as I’ve always said, processes must play themselves out, and all these matters are being handled by the right institutions, and we must allow those institutions to handle those matters." The African Transformation Movement ATM has written to the Speaker of Parliament, Thoko Didiza, requesting Section 89 proceedings and calling for Ramaphosa’s impeachment following the IPID report. ATM national spokesperson Zama Ntshona described the report as a "damning indictment of the abuse of state power and the erosion of constitutional governance under Ramaphosa," citing breaches including failure to inform the Natio