In Conversation With Tiego Khoza- political analyst
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The Phala Phala saga has once again returned to the centre of South Africa’s political debate after ANC veteran and businessman Tokyo Sexwale publicly challenged President Cyril Ramaphosa’s explanation of the controversial scandal involving the theft of foreign currency from the president’s Limpopo farm.
Speaking during an interview on the SMWX podcast hosted by Sizwe Mpofu-Walsh, Sexwale described Ramaphosa’s explanation as a “cock and bull story” and questioned the credibility of claims that the cash stolen from the farm was linked to a game and cattle sale involving Sudanese businessman Hazim Mustafa.
The Phala Phala controversy dates back to 2020, when large amounts of undeclared foreign currency were allegedly stolen from Ramaphosa’s private game farm in Limpopo. Former State Security Agency head Arthur Fraser later laid criminal charges against the president, alleging money laundering, kidnapping, and defeating the ends of justice. Ramaphosa has repeatedly denied wrongdoing and maintained that the money came from legitimate game sales.
The matter regained political momentum earlier this month after the Constitutional Court ruled that Parliament acted unlawfully when it blocked an impeachment inquiry into the scandal in 2022. The judgment paved the way for the establishment of a Section 89 parliamentary impeachment committee tasked with investigating whether the president has a case to answer.
Sexwale’s remarks are politically significant because they expose growing divisions within ANC leadership ranks over Ramaphosa’s handling of the matter. Analysts say the comments could further intensify pressure on the president ahead of impeachment proceedings and raise broader questions about accountability, transparency, and the integrity of state institutions such as SARS, SAPS, and the Reserve Bank, all of which were drawn into the controversy.
Speaking during an interview on the SMWX podcast hosted by Sizwe Mpofu-Walsh, Sexwale described Ramaphosa’s explanation as a “cock and bull story” and questioned the credibility of claims that the cash stolen from the farm was linked to a game and cattle sale involving Sudanese businessman Hazim Mustafa.
The Phala Phala controversy dates back to 2020, when large amounts of undeclared foreign currency were allegedly stolen from Ramaphosa’s private game farm in Limpopo. Former State Security Agency head Arthur Fraser later laid criminal charges against the president, alleging money laundering, kidnapping, and defeating the ends of justice. Ramaphosa has repeatedly denied wrongdoing and maintained that the money came from legitimate game sales.
The matter regained political momentum earlier this month after the Constitutional Court ruled that Parliament acted unlawfully when it blocked an impeachment inquiry into the scandal in 2022. The judgment paved the way for the establishment of a Section 89 parliamentary impeachment committee tasked with investigating whether the president has a case to answer.
Sexwale’s remarks are politically significant because they expose growing divisions within ANC leadership ranks over Ramaphosa’s handling of the matter. Analysts say the comments could further intensify pressure on the president ahead of impeachment proceedings and raise broader questions about accountability, transparency, and the integrity of state institutions such as SARS, SAPS, and the Reserve Bank, all of which were drawn into the controversy.
