In a major development, South Africa’s President, Cyril Ramaphosa, has been exonerated of all charges related to a high-profile burglary scandal that nearly cost him his position last year.
The country’s Ombudswoman, Kholeka Gcaleka, announced on Friday that the president’s conduct was found to be in line with the Constitution, effectively clearing him of any wrongdoing.
The scandal unfolded in June 2022 when a former intelligence chief filed a complaint alleging that Ramaphosa had concealed the theft of a substantial amount of cash discovered by burglars beneath a sofa on one of his properties in 2020.
The allegations also included claims of hush money being paid to the burglars, raising concerns of potential money laundering and corruption.
Following the complaint, both the police and the Office of the Public Protector initiated investigations. After thorough examination, Gcaleka declared that there was no basis to conclude that Ramaphosa had violated any relevant provisions of the law. She emphasized that the President’s behavior aligned with the standards imposed by the executive’s code of ethics.
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Ramaphosa consistently maintained his innocence throughout the ordeal, asserting that the $580,000 in cash came from the legitimate sale of buffalo from his farm. Last year, a parliamentary committee acknowledged that he may have committed violations and faults in the matter but decided against pursuing impeachment proceedings.
As a former trade union leader and successful businessperson, Ramaphosa assumed the presidency in 2018, vowing to usher in a “new dawn” after the scandal-ridden tenure of his predecessor, Jacob Zuma.
The exoneration is seen as a significant victory for Ramaphosa, providing him with an opportunity to continue implementing his vision for the nation’s progress.
