ActionSA takes on Ramaphosa: ‘Release the Phala Phala report or we’ll see you in court!’

Ramaphosa

Cape Town — ActionSA has submitted a formal request under the Promotion of Access to Information Act (PAIA) to obtain the Independent Police Investigative Directorate’s (IPID) report on the 2020 theft at President Cyril Ramaphosa’s Phala Phala farm, the party announced on Monday.

According to ActionSA National Chairperson Michael Beaumont, the request was lodged last week following the Police Minister Senzo Mchunu’s declaration that the report is “classified” and will not be made public.

ActionSA says it is prepared to take the matter to the High Court should access be denied.

Beaumont challenged the classification, citing Section 3(4)(4) of the Minimum Information Security Standards (MISS), which allows classification as “Top Secret” only under circumstances such as threats to national security, diplomatic fallout, or disruption to institutional operations.

He argued that the Phala Phala case does not meet these thresholds and stressed that the MISS policy is subordinate to both the PAIA and the Constitution.

“Regrettably, South Africans have a sense of déjà vu, with Police Ministers once again appearing to abuse the law to shield the President — where even swimming pools have been seriously presented as fire protection measures,” Beaumont said.

“The conduct of the Presidential Protection Unit, led by Major General Wally Rhoode, is a direct extension of the President’s exercise of executive authority. If abuses of office have occurred, they must be subjected to the proper scrutiny of our democratic institutions.

The statement also raised concern over the role of the Presidential Protection Unit, led by Major General Wally Rhoode, arguing that potential abuses of office must be exposed to democratic scrutiny.

Despite previous investigations, including a report by Public Protector Kholeka Gcaleka and findings by the South African Reserve Bank clearing Ramaphosa of exchange control violations, ActionSA insists that critical information remains hidden from the public.

The opposition party, which entered Parliament in 2024, says the PAIA application is part of its broader commitment to holding the Government of National Unity (GNU) accountable, especially as the ruling coalition now controls 70% of Parliament.

“Transparency is not optional. It can never be subjected to political compromise, and it is needed now more than ever, with a colossal GNU constituting 70% of the South African Parliament,” said Beaumont.

“South Africans deserve answers on Phala Phala, and ActionSA’s application is one step towards ensuring those answers are delivered.”

The Phala Phala controversy erupted in 2022 after it was revealed that a large sum of foreign currency was stolen from the President’s game farm, raising questions about undeclared income, security breaches, and possible cover-ups.

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