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The Public Protector of South Africa says she will be invoking its subpoena powers after refusing to grant a further extension to President Cyril Ramaphosa over the Phala Phala saga.
In a statement on Tuesday, the Acting Public Protector, Advocate Kholeka Gcaleka, confirmed that the President had until July 18 to respond to the allegations contained in a letter dated 7 June, after his previous request to have the initial return date of June 22 extended.
"The request for a further extension has been denied and was communicated to the President on July 18," Gcaleka said.
She said according to the amended Public Protector Rules, a state institution has 14 days from receipt of correspondence to provide a written reply or substantive reply in respect of investigations of alleged breaches of the Executive Code of Ethics.
The investigation comes after former spy boss, Arthur Fraser, laid charges against the President over the burglary at his game farm in which a reported $4 million in foreign currency, hidden in furniture, was stolen. Further damning allegations were that the President had failed to report the burglary and allegedly used his connections to track down the perpetrators who were then allegedly paid to keep quiet.
Ramaphosa confirmed the robbery but denied any wrongdoing.
Meanwhile, Advocate Gcaleka said the Rules further allow the Public Protector, in instances where the state institution has failed to submit a reply within the timeframes, to direct the institution concerned to submit a substantive reply, no later than seven days from the date of the directive.
"The PPSA will therefore be invoking its subpoena powers in line with section 7(4) (a) of the Public Protector Act 23 of 1994, read with section 5 thereof," she said.
The Public Protector said Section 7(4) (a) provides that, for the purposes of an investigation, she may direct any person to submit an affidavit or affirmed declaration or to appear before in person to give evidence that has a bearing on a matter being investigated.
Gcaleka added that the Public Protector's office would also like to "reassure the public that the matter remains ongoing and that other investigative tools and methods are being employed to establish the veracity of the allegations that gave rise to the investigation."
She said no further public comments will be made in an effort to protect the integrity of the investigation.
DA leader, John Steenhuisen, said it was encouraging to see that Chapter 9 institutions, such as the Office of the Public Protector, are investigating this matter with the urgency and seriousness that it requires.
"We have seen very little agency or appetite from other relevant investigatory bodies and institutions, such as the South African Reserve Bank and the National Assembly to pursue this matter with any determination," the opposition leader said.
