ActionSA to open criminal case against Ramaphosa over Phala Phala

ActionSA has announced plans to formally lay criminal charges against President Cyril Ramaphosa following renewed scrutiny surrounding the Phala Phala farm controversy.

In a statement on Wednesday, the party said the charges would include alleged violations of the Prevention and Combating of Corrupt Activities Act (PRECCA), perjury and fraud.

ActionSA claims the president failed to disclose the full amount of money stolen during the 2020 burglary at his Phala Phala farm in Limpopo. According to the party, the amount allegedly stolen was at least R15 million, significantly higher than the previously reported figure of around USD580,000.

The announcement comes days after the Constitutional Court ruled that Parliament’s 2022 decision not to proceed with an impeachment inquiry into the Phala Phala matter was unconstitutional.

ActionSA said the ruling had placed the scandal back under national attention and vowed to continue pursuing accountability through constitutional and legal channels.

The laying of charges was set to be led by ActionSA national chairperson Michael Beaumont, parliamentary chief whip Lerato Ngobeni and Limpopo provincial chairperson Victor Mothemela at the SAPS Bela-Bela Police Station on Wednesday afternoon.

President Ramaphosa has previously denied wrongdoing and maintains that he did not violate the Constitution or commit any criminal offence in relation to the Phala Phala matter.