The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) said on Tuesday that President Cyril Ramaphosa must take a leave of absence and step aside as per the rules of the African National Congress, to allow for investigations into the theft of an alleged $4-million from his Limpopo farm.

Former spy boss Arthur Fraser has laid criminal charges against Ramaphosa for allegedly contravening the Prevention of Organised Crime Act for failing to report the theft in 2020.

Fraser alleges that $4-million was stolen and that the thieves were kidnapped, interrogated and paid to stay silent about the ordeal.

The former spy boss further claims that he has evidence to back up his claims.

The Presidency did confirm that money from the sale of game was stolen from Ramaphosa’s farm, however, it denied any criminal wrongdoing on the part of the President.

Addressing the media in Johannesburg, EFF leader Julius Malema said the party is demanding that the President not deliver Thursday’s Presidency budget vote speech and that he allow the police to do their job without fear or favour.  

Malema suggested that Deputy President David Mabuza present the budget on Ramaphosa’s behalf.

The red berets' leader warned that if Ramaphosa does not step aside, the EFF will mobilise its supporters and other political parties.

“Parliament is not a place of criminals. It is a place of honourable members and, therefore, the President shall be treated the same way we treated the former President who disrespected our Constitution,” Malema said. 

He called on the South African Revenue Service and the South African Reserve Bank to investigate.

He also urged government institution employees to not conceal any information of wrongdoing related to the matter.

Malema said the EFF in Namibia will open a case against Namibian President Hage Geingob to fully disclose all interactions with Ramaphosa.

Fraser claims the Namibian President helped Ramaphosa find the suspects.

Malema said those who question Fraser must “have themselves checked”.

The EFF went on to urge religious leaders such as Bishop Thabo Makgoba, Reverend Frank Chikane and Thabo Mpumlwane to condemn Ramaphosa.

Malema also accused institutions such as Freedom Under Law and Outa for turning a blind eye to the allegations levelled against the President.

He blamed the media for downplaying the incident and accused it of portraying Ramaphosa as a saint.

“Ramaphosa had a duty to disclose the theft. He ought to have told the nation that he was a victim of crime,” Malema said.

GUPTA ARRESTS

Following news of the arrest of two of the fugitive Gupta brothers in the United Arab Emirates, Malema questioned why no charges were brought against Duduzane Zuma, who was fingered for facilitating the infamous meeting between former Deputy Finance Minister Mcebisi Jonas and the Guptas.

Malema revealed that Zuma had also contacted him trying to facilitate a meeting with the Gupta brothers after he denounced them in Rustenburg.

“I would want to see the Guptas in jail and I would want to see that they are being brought to South Africa to be prosecuted. We were central in exposing the shenanigans of the Guptas,” he said.