Cyril Ramaphosa faces mounting pressure as he challenges the Section 89 Independent Panel's findings. With political wolves circling and no escape route in sight, can he salvage his presidency and/or his legacy?
Image: Ron AI/Independent Media
“President Cyril Ramaphosa's back is against the wall. His decision to challenge the findings of the Section 89 Independent Panel, nearly four years later, is clearly a desperate attempt to save himself.”
That’s the opening of a statement by Freedom Front Plus leader Corné Mulder, and I agree with him 100%.
I had to think hard to find occasions where I agreed with the FF+ leader whose political lineage goes back all the way to the John Vorsters of apartheid South Africa. But on this I’m 100% with him.
It’s hard to believe it but it has happened. The Buffalo has been cornered and has his back firmly against a hard place. On Monday night while delivering his televised monologue, Ramaphosa really looked like a tired, trapped animal. Still fighting but having nowhere else to run, no escape route.
Taking the Section 89 on review may buy him some time, but it won’t be a cakewalk in front of those tough, stoic judges.
Ramaphosa told us he won’t resign. Actually, he can’t risk stepping down with political werewolves waiting for him at every nook and cranny. Mr Renewal has no option but to hang on to the high office.
It’s tough and it’s bound to get worse as soon as he enters the dungeon that is otherwise known as Parliament. In fact, things may get worse even before that. ActionSA will be laying criminal charges against him in a few hours from now – with a solid, straightforward case.
Directors, CEOs and other managers of companies and organisations, as well as office bearers such as school principals, know – or should know this. They have a mandatory duty to report to the police the theft of money or property exceeding R100,000, and failure to do so is a crime. Ignorance of this law or how the reporting should be done - while it may qualify as an extenuating circumstance during sentencing – is not an acceptable excuse or defence in court.
It’s very sad to see someone who came in with so much promise going down like this. Pitiable indeed. But Ramaphosa cannot look to us ordinary fellow South Africans for sympathy. This is his own private scandal. He wasn’t fixing the country, the economy or the ANC as he should have been when the stuff hit the proverbial fan.