Ramaphosa denies involvement in Phala Phala cover-up after Ipid report

President Cyril Ramaphosa has denied any involvement in unauthorized investigations concerning the 2020 theft at his Phala Phala Game Reserve. This denial follows the 2023 Independent Police Investigative Directorate Ipid report, which detailed the alleged concealment of the theft of $580,000 in cash from his farm. The report indicates that Major General Wally Rhoode, head of Ramaphosa’s police security unit, deliberately hid the theft. A case number for the incident was only registered two years later, after former State Security Agency director-general Arthur Fraser publicly exposed it. The Ipid report recommends disciplinary action against Rhoode and Constable Hlulani Rekhoto for concealing the crime and failing to report it. Ramaphosa stated during a visit to Eskom’s Kusile Power Station that he had "nothing to do with it" and that "processes must play themselves out." In response to the Ipid report, the African Transformation Movement ATM has written to the Speaker of Parliament, Thoko Didiza, requesting the institution of Section 89 proceedings for Ramaphosa's impeachment. 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 serious breaches including failure to inform the National Police Commissioner, bypassing lawful processes, falsification of records, and misuse of public funds. The report was initially classified as "top secret" by then