City
Epaper

S.African President hits back in corruption row

By IANS | Updated: July 22, 2019 04:10 IST

South African President Cyril Ramaphosa has said he is mounting a legal challenge against an official report that concluded he had deliberately misled parliament over a campaign donation.

Open in App

He said the report by the country's corruption watchdog was "fundamentally and irretrievably flawed", the BBC reported on Sunday.

Speaking to reporters, he also said it was appropriate for courts to make an impartial judgment on the matter.

Ramaphosa's supporters say the allegations are politically motivated.

The report by Public Protector Busisiwe Mkhwebane was released on Friday. It accused President Ramaphosa of misleading parliament, it suggested that he had potentially committed a money laundering offence.

Last year, Ramaphosa told parliament that he had not received election campaign donations from a controversial company during his bid to lead the ANC.

It later emerged that was not true. Ramaphosa apologised, and said he had been misinformed.

The allegations against the President are seen by many as a battle for control of the ANC, and South Africa itself.

Party factions have become more entrenched since President Jacob Zuma, 77, was forced to resign in February 2018 amid widespread allegations of corruption, which he denies.

He was replaced by his then-deputy, Ramaphosa, who promised to tackle corruption and described Zuma's nine years in office as "wasted".

Critics of Mkhwebane say she has become a participant in a fight-back by allies of former President Zuma.

The battles are likely to play out in South Africa's courts, which have remained largely independent.

( With inputs from IANS )

Tags: RamaphosaANCSouth AfricaJacob Zumabbc
Open in App

Related Stories

MumbaiMumbai: ANC Nabs Drug Peddler with Mephedrone Worth ₹26 Lakh in Dharavi

MumbaiMumbai: Police Bust International Drug Racket, Seize Charas Worth Rs 2.81 Crore; 4 Arrested

MumbaiMumbai Police Seize Drugs Worth ₹6,738 Crore in 4-Year Crackdown; 5,589 Arrested

CricketSA vs WI, 1st T20I: South Africa Wins Toss, Elects To Bowl First Against West Indies; Check Playing XIs

CricketSA vs WI 1st T20I LIVE Cricket Streaming: When and Where To Watch South Africa vs West Indies Match in India

International Realted Stories

InternationalUS rescues second pilot of downed F-15E in Iran, confirms Trump

InternationalUS rescues missing F-15 crew member, say officials: Report

InternationalPurge at the Pentagon: Ousted Army Chief's final message stresses "leaders of character"

InternationalMissing crew member of downed F-15 aircraft recovered alive; no official confirmation

InternationalLibya records 63 mine victims in 2025, including 21 children: UNSMIL