Phala Phala Report: Let’s call BS and all calm down

President Cyril Ramaphosa

Photo credit: Flickr.com/ GovernmentZA

Over the last few days, I’ve remembered why I am no longer in active politics.

I call it: Vulturism.

It is my made-up word for the way politicians start to behave when they smell weakness or metaphorical blood. Like vultures, they descend on the weakened prey and start pulling it apart with glee. The bloody spectacle is extremely unpleasant to watch.

Last week, the panel of experts appointed by parliament to give an opinion on whether there is reason to investigate the accusations against the President in relation to the Phala Phala matter tabled their opinion.

Instead of rationally looking at what was going on, politicians in and outside the ANC became almost hysterical. The media went berserk, and many analysts claimed that he had no option but to resign.

I want to call BS on so many levels!!

Let’s look at what was actually said. Three legal people looked at written submissions and said that they were not convinced and felt more explanations were needed. They did not find him guilty of anything. They said: he may have some more explaining to do.

Did anyone expect anything else?

I mean, really! They are lawyers, people!

Of course, they were going to say that. This case is clearly complex and there is a lot of, “he said, she said…” The panel was not allowed to take any verbal submissions, nor were they allowed to investigate anything further. So, of course, they said a parliamentary committee should do more work and then decide.

So, in reality nothing had changed. The panel only indicated that they were not convinced by what they had read and none of us were the wiser for it.

Many legal experts in the country – not least Thuli Madonsela – have said over the last few days that the experts’ opinion is legally flawed. Not being a lawyer, I won’t venture into that territory but even if it were a rock-solid legal opinion, it is only the first step among many before one could say with some level of certainty that there was reason for the President to resign.

The report needs first to be accepted by parliament. Then a multi-party committee must be appointed. They must then have hearings, compile a report and if they believe there is sufficient evidence, parliament must vote with a two-thirds majority for the president’s removal.

So, any calls for resignation are totally premature.

Yet, the vultures smelled blood and started gathering.

Inside the ANC those opposing Cyril Ramaphosa did a celebratory toyi-toyi and predictably started lobbying for his removal. I call BS! With a few exceptions ,they are the same ones who supported Jacob Zuma right to the end. As a farmer in the Eastern Cape wrote to me: “CR stole nothing from the country. They want him out. Zuma and his cronies stole South Africa and he wasn’t impeached.”

The opposition parties called on the President to resign for the sake of the country. I call BS! How exactly does Ramaphosa’s resignation help the country?  By the next morning the rand and bond markets plummeted as investors panicked. One wonders if the politicians even noticed?  

In addition, Ramaphosa’s resignation would have opened the door for a David Mabuza presidency lasting at least until May of next year (which is the earliest that parliamentary lists can be shuffled to make way for someone else). It would also have given Zweli Mkhize a good chance of becoming ANC President at the upcoming ANC conference.

I ask again: How on earth is any of that better for the country?

Of course, the opposition would declare that this would be better for the country because it would mean end of the ANC.

Again BS!

Not a single opinion poll suggests that the ANC will disappear. Yes, they look like being significantly weaker, but will still be the majority party. Which is what made John Steenhuisen’s call for immediate elections so laughable. Surely he is not under the illusion that he would now take over? Even he should know that it is not a question of Cyril Ramaphosa or John Steenhuisen, but rather David Mabuza or even Zweli Mkhize.

I’m willing to bet a lot of money that if we had a referendum today asking the country if they wanted Cyril Ramaphosa to resign, the vast majority would say “no!”

The latest indications are that Ramaphosa does not intend to resign, and is taking the report on review.

I believe that this should be welcomed.

The South African Revenue Service, the South African Reserve Bank and the Hawks should be allowed to finish their investigations. Importantly, the ANC should get through their elective conference, so that their internal power struggles can subside somewhat.

Only then can we seriously discuss what the President should do next- and, until then, everyone should take a deep breath and calm down.