Key Takeaways
- ANC veteran Tokyo Sexwale publicly accused President Cyril Ramaphosa of dishonesty regarding the Phala Phala farm cash scandal.
- Sexwale dismissed Ramaphosa’s claim that the undeclared US dollars were proceeds from cattle and game sales as a “cock‑and‑bull story” and urged the president to appear before the impeachment committee.
- The scandal has raised concerns about the credibility of key state institutions—SARS, SARB, and SAPS—potentially compromised in a cover‑up.
- The Constitutional Court’s December 2022 ruling forced the National Assembly to establish a Section 89 Impeachment Committee, which the ANC missed the deadline to populate due to internal disputes.
- Political analyst Sandile Swana notes divergent views within ANC senior leadership and predicts that a full inquiry will expose institutional failures linked to the scandal.
Background and Context
Tokyo Sexwale, a stalwart of the African National Congress (ANC) and a former Robben Island prisoner alongside Nelson Mandela, has long wielded considerable influence within South Africa’s political landscape. After serving as Gauteng Premier and Minister of Human Settlements, Sexwale remains a respected voice on matters of governance and accountability. His recent remarks on the SMWX podcast, hosted by Sizwe Mpofu‑Walsh, thrust him back into the national spotlight as he challenged President Cyril Ramaphosa’s handling of the Phala Phala farm scandal.
Sexwale’s Accusation of Dishonesty
During the interview, Sexwale directly accused Ramaphosa of lying to the South African public about the origin of a substantial sum of undeclared United States dollars discovered on the president’s Phala Phala farm. He characterised the president’s explanation as a “cock‑and‑bull story,” insisting that the narrative was not only implausible but also childish. Sexwale argued that Ramaphosa must appear before the impeachment committee to answer probing questions about the cash, emphasizing that transparency is essential for restoring public trust.
Ramaphosa’s Official Explanation
President Ramaphosa has maintained that the cash—reportedly amounting to several million US dollars—was left at the farm to secure future purchases of cattle and game from a Sudanese businessman named Hazim Mustafa. According to the president, the funds were intended to be deposited once the transaction was finalized, but they were stolen before they could be banked. Ramaphosa’s spokesperson, Vincent Magwenya, did not comment on the allegations at the time of publication, leaving the president’s version unverified in the public domain.
Sexwale’s Critique of the Narrative
Sexwale found the story implausible on several fronts. He questioned how a foreign businessman could enter South Africa with a large sum of undeclared dollars without being detected by customs or the South African Revenue Service (SARS). He also pointed out the lack of any record showing Mustafa’s arrival at South African airports, asserting that “the airport and SARS records say he never arrived.” This absence of documentation, Sexwale argued, undermines the credibility of Ramaphosa’s explanation and suggests a deliberate attempt to conceal the true source and purpose of the funds.
Implications for State Institutions
The veteran ANC leader warned that the scandal is eroding the credibility of critical state institutions. He specifically highlighted the South African Police Service (SAPS), SARS, and the South African Reserve Bank (SARB) as bodies that may have been compromised in either failing to detect the illicit cash flow or participating in a cover‑up. Sexwale contended that when such institutions lose public confidence, the broader governance framework suffers, and the nation cannot afford to remain silent while potential wrongdoing persists.
ANC Internal Dynamics and the Scandal
Political analyst Sandile Swana observed that Sexwale’s outspoken stance reflects a broader division within the ANC’s senior leadership regarding the Phala Phala affair. While some leaders may be inclined to defend the president, others, like Sexwale, demand accountability. Swana suggested that this internal tension contributed to the ANC’s failure to meet the deadline for nominating representatives to the newly formed Section 89 Impeachment Committee, a delay attributed to disputes over MP deployments and party loyalties.
Constitutional Court Ruling and Its Aftermath
In December 2022, the Constitutional Court ruled that the National Assembly had acted unlawfully and unconstitutionally when it voted to reject the Section 89 Independent Panel report on the Phala Phala scandal. The court found prima facie evidence that President Ramaphosa may have committed a serious constitutional violation. Consequently, it ordered the Assembly to refer the report to an official parliamentary impeachment committee and to amend its internal rules to prevent political parties from “gatekeeping” constitutional accountability. The ruling underscored the judiciary’s role in safeguarding democratic processes when legislative bodies falter.
Formation of the Section 89 Impeachment Committee
Following the court’s directive, National Assembly Speaker Thoko Didiza initiated the establishment of a 31‑member Section 89 Impeachment Committee tasked with reviewing the panel’s findings and producing a final report that would recommend whether Ramaphosa should be removed from office. While most political parties submitted their nominees by the Friday deadline, the ANC’s absence highlighted the party’s struggle to present a unified front on the issue, potentially weakening its ability to shape the committee’s proceedings.
Analyst Perspective on Institutional Compromise
Swana expanded on his earlier commentary, expressing confidence that a thorough inquiry would reveal officials within SARS, SARB, and SAPS who neglected their duties—or worse, actively participated in concealing the scandal. He argued that such revelations would make it politically untenable for Ramaphosa and the ANC to survive the fallout, as the scandal would expose systemic weaknesses that extend beyond the president’s personal conduct. The analyst’s forecast serves as a cautionary note: the Phala Phala episode could become a litmus test for the health of South Africa’s democratic institutions.
Conclusion and Outlook
Tokyo Sexwale’s forceful condemnation of President Ramaphosa’s explanation injects fresh urgency into the ongoing Phala Phala controversy. By demanding that the president face the impeachment committee and questioning the integrity of key state bodies, Sexwale not only challenges the official narrative but also highlights broader concerns about accountability and institutional integrity in South Africa. As the Section 89 Impeachment Committee begins its work, the nation will watch closely to see whether the inquiry uncovers the truth behind the concealed cash, holds responsible parties accountable, and ultimately reinforces—or further weakens—public trust in the country’s democratic safeguards.