PP clears Ramaphosa of improper conduct allegations when campaigning for ANC
Public Protector Kholeka Gcaleka investigated the complaints, one of which was lodged by the Democratic Alliance’s (DA) John Steenhuisen.
FILE: African National Congress President Cyril Ramaphosa. Picture: Supplied/@MYANC on X
JOHANNESBURG - Public Protector Kholeka Gcaleka has cleared President Cyril Ramaphosa of allegations of improper conduct during two events where he was campaigning for the African National Congress (ANC).
Gcaleka investigated the complaints, one of which was lodged by the Democratic Alliance’s (DA) John Steenhuisen.
In both incidents, the complainants claimed Ramaphosa conflated his roles as president of the country and leader of the ANC, noting that this created conflict.
In the first matter, the complainant, Mr E Muller, pointed out that Ramaphosa handed over an RDP house in Donkerhoek in the Northern Cape to Ms Martha Louw during an ANC campaign.
He argued that the ANC handed over a house built with State funds, creating conflict between his private and public interests.
However, Gcaleka found that the house had been handed over in September 2022, and when Ramaphosa visited Ms Louw in October, it was to celebrate her birthday.
In the second complaint, Steenhuisen accused Ramaphosa of breaching the Executive Ethics Code when he spoke of the government-driven jobs and skills programme during an ANC campaign.
But Gcaleka found that the provincial government had made the announcement, adding that it was already in the public domain.