SCOPA sends letter to Ramaphosa over leaked audio

The Standing Committee on Public Accounts (SCOPA) has officially sent a letter to President Cyril Ramaphosa, asking him to explain worrying comments attributed to him on leaked audio.

Members of the Parliament watchdog met on Tuesday, 25 January 2022, to discuss a letter sent to Chairperson Mkhuleko Hlengwa by ANC MP Mervin Dirks, requesting that Ramaphosa be investigated, in light of what he says in the recording. It was at then decided that the president would be asked to give his side of the story.

In the clip, first obtained by Daily News, Ramaphosa seemingly admits to knowing about public funds being used for the ANC’s leadership campaigns and can be heard saying he would rather fall on his sword over donations to his 2017 campaign for the ANC presidency – than have the public find out about the former.

Public Protector Advocate Busisiwe Mkhwebane is already set to investigate the audio and determine whether Ramaphosa violated his oath of office. The complaint was lodged by Dirks, who accuses the president of breaching the Executive Code of Ethics.

SCOPA GIVES RAMAPHOSA 10 DAYS TO REPLY

SCOPA has now submitted questions to President Cyril Ramaphosa pertaining to the utterances in the clip. Depending on how the entire process unfolds, SCOPA might end up summoning the president to get a clearer understanding of the context of the recording and what exactly he says.

“Parliament, Thursday, 27 January 2022 – The Standing Committee on Public Accounts (SCOPA) has today sent a letter with a detailed set of questions to the President of the Republic of South Africa, Mr Cyril Ramaphosa, asking him to respond in writing to the allegations of the misuse of public funds for political party purposes, as resolved by the committee on Tuesday, 25 January 2022”

“As per the committee’s decision, President Ramaphosa has 10 working days to respond to the letter. After consideration of the President’s written response, the committee will consider whether it is necessary to invite the President to provide additional records or to appear before the committee to answer any further questions on the matter”

SCOPA Chairperson Mkhuleko Hlengwa

ALSO READ: Leaked audio: SCOPA gives Ramaphosa up to 10 days to respond