South African President Cyril Ramaphosa is to address citizens in a televised press conference on Sunday as he attempts to defend himself over corruption allegations.
Cyril Ramaphosa has been accused of “deliberately” misleading the country’s parliament about some monies he received for his 2017 ANC election campaign.
The anti-corruption watchdog of South Africa called the public protector said on Friday that President Ramaphosa did not tell the truth about the 500,000 rand ($35,900) donation he received for his campaign for the leadership of the ruling ANC.
This appears to be a major blow to Ramaphosa’s credibility as a leader committed to fighting corruption.
He pledged to deal with corruption before becoming president and said he will ensure that state-owned enterprises are more efficient.
The South African presidency said Ramaphosa will hold the press briefing in Pretoria on Sunday at 18:00 at the Union Buildings.
“Members of the media are invited to a media briefing on the report of the Public Protector on allegations that the President violated the Executive Ethics Code,” the statement read on Sunday.
Allegations by opposition
Concerns about Ramaphosa’s campaign funding was first raised by the opposition last November.
The opposition requested that Ramaphosa be investigated for misleading the parliament and violating the executive ethics code regarding donations.
He is said to have received donation made to his son by Gavin Watson, CEO of services company Bosasa, for his campaign to lead the African National Congress (ANC).
Public Protector Busisiwe Mkhwebane said on Friday that “The allegation that on 06 November 2018 during a question session in parliament, President Ramaphosa deliberately misled the National Assembly, is substantiated.”
She said the President should have allowed himself enough time to provide a well-researched explanation.
Mkhwebane told reporters that Ramaphosa has violated the constitution and breached the executive code of ethics by telling parliament he did not know his son was involved in the donation.
Source: Africafeeds.com
