Cape Town – ANC national chairperson Gwede Mantashe has accused opposition parties of applying double standards and “playing to the gallery” in their criticism of President Cyril Ramaphosa over the Phala Phala matter.
His remarks come as the South African Police Service (SAPS) and the Independent Police Investigative Directorate (IPID) appeared before Parliament’s Portfolio Committee on Police for a second time to account for progress in investigations linked to the Phala Phala farm saga.
According to SABC News, the committee reconvened after an earlier heated meeting during which frustrated MPs accused both institutions of failing to provide clear answers on key aspects of the investigation and demanded a face-to-face engagement.
Lawmakers are seeking clarity on allegations involving Presidential Protection Unit head Major General Wally Rhoode, the handling of evidence related to the 2020 burglary at President Ramaphosa’s Limpopo farm, and apparent contradictions between the findings of SAPS and IPID.
The debate around the matter intensified after Umkhonto weSizwe (MK) Party MP Wesley Douglas addressed the National Assembly, arguing that there are “two South Africas” when it comes to accountability.
According to IOL, Douglas claimed that ordinary citizens are held accountable when accused of wrongdoing, while political leaders are protected from consequences.
“There are two South Africas. One South Africa is for the poor. If you are accused of wrongdoing, you are investigated and compelled to step aside,” he said.
“The other South Africa is reserved for Mr Cyril Ramaphosa and the elite.”
Douglas further argued that an independent Section 89 panel, chaired by a former Chief Justice, had found prima facie evidence suggesting that Ramaphosa may have committed serious constitutional violations and misconduct.
He accused the ANC-led Parliament of shielding the president and providing him with “political cover” instead of ensuring accountability.
Questioning the delays surrounding impeachment proceedings, Douglas asked: “What is he afraid of? What is there to hide?”
He also warned that failure to act on a Constitutional Court order could amount to contempt.
Responding during the debate, Mantashe dismissed the allegations, arguing that opposition parties were selectively applying legal principles depending on who was involved.
He pointed to former president Jacob Zuma’s long-running legal battles relating to the arms deal case and noted that Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) leader Julius Malema was exercising his right to appeal a conviction handed down in an East London court.
Mantashe argued that Ramaphosa was similarly entitled to pursue available legal remedies.
“Mr Ramaphosa appealed the conviction in this court and he is using his right to appeal,” he said.
He rejected suggestions that the president was receiving special treatment, describing claims of unequal justice as politically motivated.
“When it is Ramaphosa, he is supposed to take himself to an ANC law. That does not apply to the rest,” Mantashe said.
He also cautioned against political grandstanding, arguing that it did little to advance meaningful debate.
“This thing of standing, of playing to the gallery, doesn’t help the cause. People must begin to react in a way that helps the cause, rather than being very emotional and playing to the gallery,” he said.
Meanwhile, Ramaphosa has approached the Western Cape High Court to have the findings of the independent Phala Phala panel reviewed and set aside, arguing that the report is flawed.
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Picture: Instagram/ Gwede Mantashe
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Compiled by Glaan Sibuyi
