Delay in probing Farmgate scandal worrying

A DELAYING of the investigations probing allegations of reckless trading in foreign currency involving President Cyril Ramaphosa is worrisome.

The public protector, SA Revenue Service and Reserve Bank should’ve shed light on the preliminary findings, considering that the law enforcement agencies are investigating a case docket fiasco.

Unless they’re ducking by adopting a wait-and-see strategy. Whatever the case, passing off a just administrative action won’t fix a delinquency. The delay has aggravated speculation.

There are conspiracy theories already feeding into a suspicion of preferential treatment unduly given to Ramaphosa.

Sadly, men and women at the helm of the aforesaid institutions are perceived as lackeys devoid of a power of character to uphold ethical standards.

Needless to say, Ramaphosa’s rugged start was a tell-tale sign of ethical controversies abounding in his administration.

The wheels came off when legalities were allowed to supersede ethical values. Not only did skulduggery at Phala Phala farm made headlines, but it was a rude awakening to the sleepers that things are worse off in the so-called new dawn.

Likewise, it was clear that the fugitives were familiar figures who escaped prosecution on account of a deliberate bungling of the case by complicit police officers.

Yet Ramaphosa wouldn’t care less about how they got away with murder. This sort of indifference is one of the root causes of all evil in society.

The unquestionable finding of the section 89 panel brought everything to the realm of truth that Ramaphosa has a case to answer, placing him in a state of impeachment for violating an oath of office.

A “house divided” aside, Ramaphosa has a cloud over his head. It isolates him as a broken reed to lead a renewal programme, compelling the movement with all its powers to recall Ramaphosa from office.

MORGAN PHAAHLA |