Everything you need to know about the burglary at President Cyril Ramaphosa's game farm

The latest facts, figures, interviews, views and analysis

02 November 2022 - 08:19 By TimesLIVE

O’Sullivan places Ramaphosa’s security boss at ...

Private investigator Paul O’Sullivan has placed the head of presidential protection services Maj-Gen Wally Rhoode at ...

By MAWANDE AMASHABALALA and KGOTHATSO MADISA

Fraser orchestrating ‘disinformation campaign’ to ...

It is an old apartheid regime tactic ‘that is being utilised to destabilise’ the party, says Bejani Chauke

Amanda Khoza
Presidency reporter

‘Innuendos and speculation will not be entertained’: Presidency on Arthur ...

President Cyril Ramaphosa’s office says it will not comment on fresh allegations made by former correctional services ...

Amanda Khoza
Presidency reporter

Presidency claps back at ‘roof top-shouting’ former presidents criticising ...

President Cyril Ramaphosa’s performance should be judged based on facts and not on rumour-mongering, his office said ...

Amanda Khoza
Presidency reporter

Ramaphosa will have until November 6 to respond to Phala Phala panel

The independent panel tasked with determining whether President Cyril Ramaphosa has a case to answer regarding the ...

Andisiwe Makinana
Political correspondent

'President Ramaphosa should be given time and space': Limpopo, Eastern ...

“What we have just observed is very unfortunate, actually destructive, really bordering on something that we should not ...

Opposition criticise Ramaphosa for not acting ...

Opposition parties have criticised President Cyril Ramaphosa's apparent failure to take action against members of his ...

Andisiwe Makinana
Political correspondent

‘On Phala Phala we are on the same page’: Mashaba weighs in on Zuma ...

ActionSA leader Herman Mashaba has weighed in on former president Jacob Zuma's public engagements in the wake of the ...

S'THEMBISO MSOMI | Former presidents give Ramaphosa an F

If President Cyril Ramaphosa was closely following the news this weekend, he would have had reason to feel like he was ...

S'thembiso Msomi
Editor: Sunday Times

Ramaphosa corrupt and a traitor, says Jacob Zuma

Former president Jacob Zuma has launched a scathing attack on President Cyril Ramaphosa on Saturday, accusing him of ...

Amanda Khoza
Presidency reporter

ANC KZN defends Ramaphosa after three ex-presidents criticise him

The ANC in KwaZulu-Natal has come out in defence of President Cyril Ramaphosa after "attacks" on him by former ...

‘What if Cyril has a case to answer on Phala ...

Former president says ANC has no choice but to discuss whether Ramaphosa should step aside if a parliamentary panel ...

WATCH | Zuma accuses Ramaphosa of treason and corruption, says he fixed ...

Jacob Zuma on Saturday condemned his successor, President Cyril Ramaphosa, as a 'corrupt' and 'treasonous' businessman ...

Bobby Jordan
Senior reporter

LISTEN | Ramaphosa has something to hide over Phala Phala, says ATM leader

African Transformation Movement leader Vuyolwethu Zungula has explained the charges the party has laid against ...

Bulelani Nonyukela
Audio producer

EDITORIAL | Ramaphosa’s backtrack shows how out of touch he is

For the president, in these tough economic times, to make ministers’ cushy jobs even cushier beggars belief

'The best outcome is for Cyril to be returned as president': Dali Mpofu on ...

"For us, as the EFF, the best outcome is for Cyril to be returned as ANC president at the ANC conference because it ...

Phala Phala independent panel starts work on ...

The independent panel tasked with determining whether President Cyril Ramaphosa has a case to answer over the Phala ...

Andisiwe Makinana
Political correspondent

‘The bar is very low’ — What ANC veteran Mavuso Msimang thinks of party ...

"The bar is very low when you get people who have been implicated in very serious issues and scandals wanting to run ...

'The truth is we are now emerging from the darkest days': Hanekom defends ...

Former tourism minister and ANC stalwart Derek Hanekom has come to party president Cyril Ramaphosa's defence, ...

What Ramaphosa told the public protector about Phala Phala

President Cyril Ramaphosa has told the public protector that she has no jurisdiction to probe the Phala Phala farm ...

By Amanda Khoza and Kgothatso Madisa

Theft case laid against Ramaphosa at Joburg police station

A businessman claims an idea he presented to Cyril Ramaphosa now forms part of the country’s national energy plan ...

Isaac Mahlangu
Senior reporter

MAKHUDU SEFARA | Former DA leaders lambaste ...

As the party endures a slow burn, its fiercest critics are ex-believers disillusioned by poor leadership

Makhudu Sefara
Editor: Sunday Times and TimesLIVE

Ramaphosa confirms having 'a good exchange' with ANC’s integrity commission

President Cyril Ramaphosa has confirmed that he has again appeared before the ANC’s integrity commission to furnish it ...

Amanda Khoza
Presidency reporter

Businessman Reuel Khoza lashes ‘irresolute’ Ramaphosa

Former PIC chair says the president lacks courage.

By Thabiso Mochiko

'I don’t believe I abused my power,' says Ramaphosa about reporting Phala ...

President Cyril Ramaphosa repeatedly told parliament on Thursday he believed he was properly reporting the crime when ...

Andisiwe Makinana
Political correspondent

LISTEN | Ramaphosa explains Phala Phala foreign cash

President broke his silence on questions around his game farm

Bulelani Nonyukela
Audio producer

Ramaphosa: police must say why no Phala Phala ...

President Cyril Ramaphosa has blamed police for failure to report the robbery at his game farm where millions of ...

Andisiwe Makinana
Political correspondent

MPs vote against Ramaphosa's Phala Phala scandal inquiry

The ANC defeated an opposition motion to have a parliamentary panel investigate if President Cyril Ramaphosa should be ...

By Paul Vecchiatto

RECORDED | Ramaphosa back in parliament to answer Phala Phala questions

President Cyril Ramaphosa returns to the National Assembly on Thursday afternoon for a Q&A session, where he is likely ...

By TimesLIVE

WATCH | How Ramaphosa's Phala Phala saga has unfolded so far

On June 1, Arthur Fraser dropped a bomb when he laid criminal charges against President Cyril Ramaphosa over an alleged ...

Anthony Molyneaux
Lead video journalist

Calland rejects the basis of DA and EFF’s objections: ‘I am a fiercely ...

Opposition parties questioned his impartiality, claiming he had shown a “consistent bias towards the president”

Andisiwe Makinana
Political correspondent

POLL | Do you agree with the Phala Phala panel ...

South Africans have weighed in on UCT law professor Richard Calland’s decision to quit a panel to determine whether ...

Kyle Zeeman
Digital Editor

PODCAST | Richard Calland answers questions about the Phala Phala panel

Calland spoke to Eusebius McKaiser to explain his decision to accept the judgment of the speaker of parliament that “it ...

Eusebius McKaiser
Contributor and analyst

History is repeating itself before your eyes, DA’s Steenhuisen warns ANC

The EFF and DA have accused the ANC’s rejection of an ad hoc committee into Phala Phala as replicating mistakes on ...

Richard Calland quits Phala Phala panel amid objections

University of Cape Town law professor Richard Calland has quit a panel to determine whether President Cyril Ramaphosa ...

RECORDED | Debate on DA’s motion to establish committee to investigate ...

Parliament is on Tuesday debating the DA’s motion to establish an ad hoc committee to look into the robbery at ...

By TImesLIVE

MVUSIWEKHAYA SICWETSHA | Ramaphosa is simply not ...

President Cyril Ramaphosa has an image problem. This is a huge descent from the high public approval ratings he had ...

By MVUSIWEKHAYA SICWETSHA

LISTEN | Phala Phala panellists’ integrity unquestionable, says ...

Speaker of parliament Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula is confident her panel candidates for the Phala Phala probe are fit for ...

Bulelani Nonyukela
Audio producer

Mapisa-Nqakula hits back at opposition over Phala Phala panel

National Assembly speaker Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula has hit back at opposition parties over their objection to the ...

Thabo Mokone
Parliamentary editor

Malema likens Ramaphosa to a gangster: 'He is what we thought (Jacob) Zuma ...

EFF leader Julius Malema has described President Cyril Ramaphosa as a morally bankrupt leader with questionable ethics ...

EDITORIAL | It’s not all doom and gloom, change may be on the way

As things stand, President Cyril Ramaphosa appears to be in pole position to retain his position as president of the ...

By SUNDAY TIMES

Phala Phala: top legal experts decline ...

Only eight out of the 17 people who were nominated by political parties to serve on the independent panel that will ...

Andisiwe Makinana
Political correspondent

Busisiwe Mkhwebane’s affidavit inaccurate and untrue on Phala Phala: ...

Statements made under oath to the Western Cape High Court by suspended public protector Busisiwe Mkhwebane are ...

By FRANNY RABKIN

Ex-chief justice, Oscar's judge to sit on Phala Phala impeachment inquiry

National Assembly speaker Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula has appointed a legal panel to assess if there are grounds to impeach ...

By TimesLIVE

GOOD defends its nomination of Calland, says backlash is ‘scandalous’

Opposition parties have objected to the respected professor’s inclusion in the panel to assess the Phala Phala scandal ...

Andisiwe Makinana
Political correspondent

DA 'not convinced' of Richard Calland’s objectivity in Phala Phala inquiry

The DA’s Siviwe Gwarube has expressed concern about the inclusion of Prof Richard Calland in the section 89 inquiry ...

Amanda Khoza
Presidency reporter

WATCH | Chester Missing’s ‘Zoom call’ with ...

In the “Zoom call”, Chester Missing refers to Ramaphosa as “Mr Money Couch”.

'She will fall': EFF wants no-confidence vote on speaker Mapisa-Nqakula ...

"Mapisa-Nqakula has allowed herself to be used as a pawn by Ramaphosa," claim the red berets.

Kyle Zeeman
Digital Editor

Parliament probe clears Zizi Kodwa of involvement in Phala Phala 'cover-up'

Parliament’s joint standing committee on intelligence has cleared deputy state security minister Zizi Kodwa of ...

'This isn't a tinder swipe arrangement': Maimane takes aim at Ramaphosa ...

"I think you must co-operate with any and all investigations and processes. No more match-fixing," Maimane told ...

SONGEZO ZIBI | Before we can talk about a compact, we need a new social ...

How do we sustainably build any consensus when the key components of society are out of sync?

By Songezo Zibi

Ramaphosa 'quite relaxed' about Phala Phala ...

President Cyril Ramaphosa believes opposition parties are not being malicious in calling for transparency over the ...

Amanda Khoza
Presidency reporter

S'THEMBISO MSOMI | NDZ hasn’t gone away — she could even beat Ramaphosa

The incumbent ANC president looks increasingly vulnerable ahead of the party’s December conference, writes S'thembiso ...

S'thembiso Msomi
Editor: Sunday Times

Ramaphosa’s decision to suspend Mkhwebane tainted by bias: high court

The Western Cape High Court has declared invalid the decision by President Cyril Ramaphosa to suspend Public Protector ...

By FRANNY RABKIN

Public protector’s office paying Mkhwebane’s legal fees, Gcaleka says

Acting Public Protector Kholeka Gcaleka says the public protector's office was paying for the suspended public ...

High court sets aside Mkhwebane's suspension by Ramaphosa

The full bench of the Western Cape High Court on Friday declared invalid President Cyril Ramaphosa's suspension of ...

Ernest Mabuza
Journalist

Opposition parties and a few ANC members protest ...

Opposition political party supporters, with some ANC members, braced scorching heat in Pretoria on Friday morning to ...

Ramaphosa to answer outstanding Phala Phala questions on the pre-scheduled ...

President Cyril Ramaphosa will only answer outstanding questions about the robbery at his Phala Phala game farm on ...

Andisiwe Makinana
Political correspondent

LISTEN | It’s rubbish that Ramaphosa can’t come, says Shivambu as MPs ...

Before being kicked out after an altercation, Shivambu said the president is undermining democracy and should be ...

Bulelani Nonyukela
Audio producer

EFF slams Ramaphosa for ‘using employees’ to avoid direct links to his ...

The EFF has weighed in on the latest development regarding President Cyril Ramaphosa's Phala Phala farm saga, alleging ...

Here's why parties are planning to picket at public protector over Phala ...

Several opposition parties will picket at the public protector’s office in Tshwane on Friday over the Phala Phala farm ...

Mapisa-Nqakula to invite Ramaphosa back to answer ...

National Assembly speaker Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula will write to President Cyril Ramaphosa to request him to provide a ...

Andisiwe Makinana
Political correspondent

Delays and lapses beset SA’s joint efforts with ...

The SA justice department is waiting for its neighbour to amend its request for help

LISTEN | When there is a point of order you keep ...

The president did not answer questions on Phala Phala, saying the matter is under investigation. The EFF was not happy ...

Bulelani Nonyukela
Audio producer

Questions remain over Phala Phala as parliament abandons Q&A session

MPs argue president Ramaphosa’s Phala Phala matter is not sub judice and that he is accountable to parliament

By ANDISIWE MAKINANA

WATCH | MPs don't allow Ramaphosa to brush off Phala Phala saga

President Cyril Ramaphosa’s answers to questions on the Phala Phala game farm saga did not sit well with MPs on Tuesday.

By TIMESLIVE

EFF digs its heels in as Ramaphosa’s question session is delayed

President Cyril Ramaphosa’s question session was delayed by more than an hour on Tuesday as EFF MPs demanded the ...

By ANDISIWE MAKINANA

Maimane tears into Ramaphosa over Phala Phala response, lambastes ministers

Are you buying the president's response to questions about Phala Phala?

Kyle Zeeman
Digital Editor

S'THEMBISO MSOMI | It’s time ANC leadership ...

Thabo Mbeki seems to be nostalgic for the struggle days of selfless service to the cause, but that is no longer ...

S'thembiso Msomi
Editor: Sunday Times

Phala Phala to take centre stage in parliament next week

President Cyril Ramaphosa will again face the heat on Phala Phala next week as parliament sets into motion the process ...

Andisiwe Makinana
Political correspondent

Cyril should’ve trusted ANC members to carry Phala Phala load with him: ...

The president has been filling in everyone but those who elected him to office, says the former North West leader

By KGOTHATSO MADISA and MAWANDE AMASHABALALA

Probe into my 'prior knowledge' of Phala Phala theft a fishing expedition, ...

Deputy state security minister Zizi Kodwa believes the investigation into his alleged role in the Phala Phala farm ...

LATEST NEWS

‘We’ve never thrown eggs or shoes at him’: Malema ...

"There is no-one bullying the president. We are doing our work. We’ve never went into any hall and disrupted the ...

Mbeki hits back at Malema’s claims he is working with Arthur Fraser ...

Thabo Mbeki believes Julius Malema’s claim was birthed by the “old” apartheid intelligence machinery.

Mawande AmaShabalala
Political journalist

Arthur Fraser is working with Mbeki to dethrone Ramaphosa: Julius Malema

The Phala Phala saga has nothing to do with RET forces and Jacob Zuma, claims the leader of the red berets.

Mawande AmaShabalala
Political journalist

RECORDED | Political parties on Phala Phala action against Ramaphosa

Opposition parties are on Wednesday briefing the media on the action they plan to take against President Cyril ...

By TimesLIVE

EDITORIAL | Lady Justice, give SA the happy ending it deserves

The accusation against Ramaphosa’s ally comes as the number one is under public scrutiny for serious allegations.

LATEST NEWS

Cyril should’ve trusted ANC members to carry ...

The president has been filling in everyone but those who elected him to office, says the former North West leader

By KGOTHATSO MADISA and MAWANDE AMASHABALALA

BARNEY MTHOMBOTHI | Having survived a decade of judicial inaction, Hlophe ...

Last month the Judicial Service Commission sent a recommendation to President Cyril Ramaphosa that Western Cape judge ...

Probe into my 'prior knowledge' of Phala Phala theft a fishing expedition, ...

Deputy state security minister Zizi Kodwa believes the investigation into his alleged role in the Phala Phala farm ...

Parliament orders probe into Zizi Kodwa's role in Phala Phala robbery

Parliament’s joint standing committee on intelligence is due to probe the alleged role of deputy state security ...

Parliamentary process against president an opportunity to hold him ...

Parliament's rules on the removal of a president will be tested for the first time as the institution embarks on a ...

By ANDISIWE MAKINANA

LATEST NEWS

Ramaphosa, Rhoode reject Fraser’s Phala Phala ...

In separate submissions to public protector, the president and his security head take issue with key elements of the ...

By THANDUXOLO JIKA and SIBONGAKONKE SHOBA

MAKHUDU SEFARA | Leaderless citizens turn to ‘the smoke that calls’

We are a country so rich in resources and yet so lacking in leadership, writes Makhudu Sefara.

Makhudu Sefara
Editor: Sunday Times and TimesLIVE

Concern over tampering of phones, emails at public protector's office

Public accountability activists have raised concerns about the dysfunctional IT system at the Public Protector's ...

Sam Mkokeli
Columnist and contributor

Storm clouds gather for the president over Farmgate

Powerful grouping of opposition parties band together to hold Ramaphosa to account over Phala Phala.

Ipid, Hawks split probes into alleged cop conduct in Phala Phala matter

The Independent Police Investigative Directorate says it will probe the conduct of police officers involved in the ...

LATEST NEWS

EFF birthday bash turns into Ramaphosa-bashing ...

The EFF anniversary celebration in Mangaung yesterday became a multi-party platform to advance an offensive against ...

Mawande AmaShabalala
Political journalist

Cyril Ramaphosa is accounting to ANC integrity body over Phala Phala

President Cyril Ramaphosa this week appeared before the party’s integrity commission over the Phala Phala scandal and ...

EDITORIAL | Forgive our scepticism, Cyril, but when we see it, we’ll ...

After 15 years of load-shedding, the president’s energy plan will be treated as another merry dance until it actually ...

CAIPHUS KGOSANA | Negativity aside, there is light at the end of the tunnel

While there may still be some red tape, the president’s private power generation plan is a big step in the right ...

Caiphus Kgosana
Editor: Business Times

EDITORIAL | Ramaphosa is his own worst enemy

After the Phala Phala scandal, the president finds himself on shaky ground in the lead-up to the ANC’s December ...

LATEST NEWS

LISTEN | Phala Phala probe can’t stop Mkhwebane’s ...

Suspended public protector Busisiwe Mkhwebane seems to have more forces battling against her.

By Bulelani Nonyukela

Public protector asks president to keep Phala Phala response under wraps

Acting public protector Kholeka Gcaleka instructed Ramaphosa not to make his Phala Phala response public: state attorney

Andisiwe Makinana
Political correspondent

How Ramaphosa almost got subpoenaed

By close of business on Monday, D-Day for President Cyril Ramaphosa’s submissions to the acting public protector in ...

Franny Rabkin
Legal correspondent

Cyril Ramaphosa averts subpoena with reply to questions on Friday morning

President Cyril Ramaphosa has replied to the 31 questions the public protector posed about an incident at his Phala ...

By Erin Bates

Phala Phala accused to ‘plead guilty on gun charges’ after ‘recent ...

Urbanus Shaumbwako, one of the Namibians accused by former spy-boss Arthur Fraser of helping to steal $4m in cash from ...

Aron Hyman
Reporter

LATEST NEWS

LISTEN | I do have answers for Phala Phala: ...

The president says he is not above the law and will subject himself to criminal investigations

Mawande AmaShabalala
Political journalist

POLL | Would you join EFF’s national shutdown against ‘farmgate’, ...

“The national shutdown which the EFF will partake in will not be a candle holding and white flags type of a shutdown. ...

SAPS national commissioner sidelines presidential protection unit head

Move is seen as part of damage control following the fallout over the alleged coverup of Ramaphosa’s Phala Phala farm ...

Graeme Hosken
Senior reporter

Nzimande defends Cyril on farmgate, accuses Fraser of ‘counterrevolution’

It is suspicious that the former spy boss’ complaint coincided with plans to release of Zondo’s report implicating ...

Mawande AmaShabalala
Political journalist

LISTEN | Malema not happy with ‘criminal’ president and ‘his gangsters’, ...

EFF leader Julius Malema has plans to oust President Cyril Ramaphosa, including building an impeachment case against ...

Bulelani Nonyukela
Audio producer

LATEST NEWS

‘History will absolve us’: Malema unveils grand ...

Party leader says the red berets will approach the courts regarding Ramaphosa’s impeachment and plans a national ...

ANC checkmates Ace as it lays down the law on succession race

Paul Mashatile has released elective conference guidelines that effectively shut the door on Ace Magashule

LISTEN | Malema not happy with ‘criminal’ president and ‘his gangsters’, ...

EFF leader Julius Malema has plans to oust President Cyril Ramaphosa, including building an impeachment case against ...

Bulelani Nonyukela
Audio producer

Mkhwebane presses ahead with the court case withdrawn by her deputy

The suspended public protector also claims a ‘co-ordinated attack’ on her and her attorneys

Franny Rabkin
Legal correspondent

Ipid interviews ATM on its request to probe cops in Phala Phala case

The Independent Police Investigative Directorate (Ipid) said on Monday it had obtained a formal statement from the ...

Ernest Mabuza
Journalist

LATEST NEWS

Mapisa-Nqakula turns down Steenhuisen's request ...

National Assembly speaker Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula has declined a request from John Steenhuisen to set up an ad hoc ...

By Hendrik Hancke

'Ramaphosa has taken us back to colonial era': Shivambu on load-shedding ...

"Despite committing multiple crimes in Phala Phala, Ramaphosa has taken us back to colonial era. He must fall," said ...

Steenhuisen calls for parliament to reconvene to deal with load-shedding, ...

DA leader John Steenhuisen has called on parliament to reconvene urgently to deal with load-shedding, the fuel price ...

LISTEN | ANC members will march for Ramaphosa’s removal amid Farmgate and ...

Fired ANC member Carl Niehaus says the Ramaphosa Must Go mass marches to unseat Ramaphosa and against rising prices are ...

Bulelani Nonyukela
Audio producer

IN PICS | Zuma supporters picket to commemorate his incarceration and ...

A handful of Jacob Zuma supporters picketed outside the Durban magistrate's court on Thursday to mark a year since the ...

By Mfundo Mkhize

LATEST NEWS

LISTEN | Protest planned to pressure police and ...

Fired ANC member Carl Niehaus says there are plans for national mass action to protest against President Cyril ...

Bulelani Nonyukela
Audio producer

POLL | What do you make of Ramaphosa not appearing before the ANC ...

Are the delays to President Cyril Ramaphosa appearing before the ANC integrity commission justified?

Kyle Zeeman
Digital Editor

WILLIAM GUMEDE | As goes Ramaphosa, so goes the ANC

If President Cyril Ramaphosa is forced to step down as leader of the ANC over Phala Phala, the party's downward spiral ...

ANC says Ramaphosa must schedule new meeting with integrity commission

The ANC’s national executive committee meeting agreed that President Cyril Ramaphosa must schedule another meeting with ...

By Kgothatso Madisa and Amanda Khoza

Ramaphosa granted more time to respond to public protector on Phala Phala ...

The public protector's office says it has granted President Cyril Ramaphosa an extension to respond to Phala Phala ...

LATEST NEWS

Phala Phala probe no reason to set aside ...

President says in affidavit that he will answer Mkhwebane’s questions on Phala Phala to acting PP

By FRANNY RABKIN

Ipid 'needs more facts' before deciding to probe police role in Phala ...

The Independent Police Investigative Directorate says it has not fully assessed the African Transformation Movement's ...

MAKHUDU SEFARA | It turns out Ramaphosa and Zuma are cut from the same ...

The president’s silence has dashed the hopes of those who thought he represented new hope after the captured years

Makhudu Sefara
Editor: Sunday Times and TimesLIVE

'He won't come out alive' — Shivambu says Ramaphosa won't survive upcoming ...

Shivambu said the Phala Phala farm scandal reinforces claims by the EFF that Ramaphosa is unfit to run the country.

'Good message, wrong source' — SA weighs in on Ramaphosa’s promise to fix ...

President Cyril Ramaphosa's latest message against corruption has seen him dragged by many on social media.

Kyle Zeeman
Digital Editor

LATEST NEWS

LUKHONA MNGUNI | In the ANC’s factional battles, ...

South Africans must ask hard questions, press for answers and be unrelenting in pursuit of the truth about the Phala ...

By LUKHONA MNGUNI

If that money was in the wrong place at the wrong time, authorities must ...

“Let’s allow Sars to do its work, let’s allow the Reserve Bank to look into exchange controls. If there was any law ...

Fraser charge a plot to block Ramaphosa's second term, says Enoch ...

Finance minister Enoch Godongwana has come out in defence of President Cyril Ramaphosa, saying the case opened against ...

By KGOTHATSO MADISA, ZIMASA MATIWANE and SIBONGAKONKE SHOBA

Phala Phala ‘thief’ claims he was SA Army peacekeeper before life of luxury

The alleged mastermind behind the burglary at President Cyril Ramaphosa's Limpopo game farm told fantastical tales to a ...

By Aron Hyman and Graeme Hosken

PETER BRUCE | Ramaphosa is Zondo’s final, feckless villain

Now that the final volumes of the commission of inquiry into state capture are in, following the work of  chief justice ...

Peter Bruce
Editor-at-large & columnist

LATEST NEWS

PODCAST | Farmgate: 'the ANC needs to step ...

In today’s instalment of the Sunday Times Politics Weekly, we look at President Cyril Ramaphosa’s predicament in the ...

By MIKE SILUMA and PAIGE MULLER

MAKHUDU SEFARA | SA will not be distracted, Mr President. We want answers

Ramaphosa will try every trick in the PR playbook to deflect the game farm scandal. We must keep pressing and probing

Makhudu Sefara
Editor: Sunday Times and TimesLIVE

'A crude publicity stunt' — ANC responds to DA roping in FBI on 'farmgate'

Pule Mabe said it was bizarre that the DA overlooked local law enforcement authorities and reached out to a foreign ...

It’s curtain up on SA demanding accountability from its leaders

As the curtain closes on the state capture inquiry, it’s up to us to ensure the country doesn’t return to the brink

‘He’s snitching on the president’ — SA weighs in on the DA approaching the ...

DA leader John Steenhuisen said the party went this route because the money stolen from President Cyril Ramaphosa's ...

LATEST NEWS

Justice ministry denies Namibian authorities ...

The ministry of justice and correctional services has denied it received a request from the Namibian government for ...

Graeme Hosken
Senior reporter

LISTEN | DA asks Americans to investigate Ramaphosa’s Phala Phala saga

The DA has written to the FBI Pretoria field office to request the US intelligence and security service to investigate ...

RECORDED | DA's John Steenhuisen announces further action to be taken ...

DA leader John Steenhuisen is on Tuesday announcing further steps the party plans to take against President Cyril ...

By TimesLIVE

Mkhwebane off to court to challenge ‘unlawful and hurried’ suspension

The legal showdown between suspended public protector Busisiwe Mkhwebane and President Cyril Ramaphosa is set to ...

Amanda Khoza
Presidency reporter

'It’s an ANC matter': veterans dodge questions on Ramaphosa’s 'farmgate ...

Umkhonto we Sizwe Liberation War Veterans (MKLWV) says it will wait for ANC structures to deal with President Cyril ...

LATEST NEWS

Ankole bull at Phala Phala auctioned for R1.65m

The highest selling bull at the 2022 national ankole live auction on Saturday at Phala Phala Wildlife - a game farm ...

Latest case opened against Ramaphosa involves his brother-in-law, business ...

The latest criminal case opened against President Cyril Ramaphosa by the leader of civil rights organisation Really ...

Alex Patrick
Senior reporter

‘So easy’ to rob the president, says heist ringleader

An explosive recorded interview with the alleged mastermind behind the hard-currency heist at President Cyril ...

By Aron Hyman, Thanduxolo Jika, Graeme Hosken, Eliaser Ndeyanale and SIBONGAKONKE SHOBA

Business as usual at Ramaphosa's livestock auction

Dozens of livestock breeders gathered at President Cyril Ramaphosa's Phala Phala Wildlife Game Reserve in Limpopo ...

Tankiso Makhetha
Investigative reporter

Zuma backers report Ramaphosa to Durban police over Phala Phala theft

Former president Jacob Zuma's supporters on Saturday opened two cases against President Cyril Ramaphosa at the Durban ...

By SANDILE NDLOVU

LATEST NEWS

LINDIWE MAZIBUKO | We must not fall for the RET ...

The RET faction of the ANC hopes that the hoopla they can generate around #PhalaPhala will lead expedient opposition ...

By Lindiwe Mazibuko

EBRAHIM HARVEY | Have Ramaphosa’s ‘political successes’ gone to his head?

I was first introduced to President Cyril Ramaphosa at the founding conference of the National Union of Mineworkers ...

Ebrahim Harvey
Political analyst

Arthur Fraser meets the Hawks to ‘assist’ with Ramaphosa investigation

Former spy boss Arthur Fraser says he has furnished the Hawks with additional information and details on "farmgate".

Alex Patrick
Senior reporter

Ramaphosa hits back: ‘If I step aside it would imply I interfered with the ...

The president said stepping aside would spark suspicion he is interfering with the police investigation process.

‘We have sides hidden under a mattress. It’s a steal’ — Nando’s throws jab ...

“Nis'founele (call us) once load-shedding hits, we have some sides hidden under a mattress. It's a steal.”

LATEST NEWS

'EFT only': Phala Phala Ankole auction will not ...

About 200 people who are in the cattle and game breeding business are expected to attend the auction at President Cyril ...

Mpho Koka
Journalist

‘Sars, police, Reserve Bank keeping mum on allegations against Ramaphosa’, ...

Zungula lamented the suspension of public protector Busisiwe Mkhwebane, saying her office is the only institution that ...

‘I’m a hustler, but I didn’t steal the president’s cash’

One of the Namibians named by Arthur Fraser admits to smuggling gold but says there's no truth in the Phala Phala story.

By Aron Hyman, Philani Nombembe, Graeme Hosken and TANKISO MAKHETHA

POLL | Should the president step aside?

There are continued calls by some for President Cyril Ramaphosa to step aside amid the “farmgate” scandal, in which he ...

WATCH | Shivambu shares video of Muzi Sikhakhane ‘warning’ Fraser has more ...

EFF deputy president Floyd Shivambu has shared a video of former spy boss Arthur Fraser’s lawyer Muzi Sikhakhane ...

LATEST NEWS

Meet Imanuwela David: The $4m Phala Phala heist ...

Two years ago, residents at Olukekete village in northern Namibia began asking each other who was funding the major ...

By Eliaser Ndeyanale

High court ruling backs up president’s suspension of Mkhwebane

Public protector says the president is ‘even more conflicted’ in light of questions about Glencore and his Phala Phala ...

Franny Rabkin
Legal correspondent

‘There cannot be different laws for the rich’: Archbishop Makgoba on ...

Anglican Archbishop Thabo Makgoba has urged authorities to be transparent about the investigation into the alleged ...

Mkhwebane sends Ramaphosa ultimatum to reverse her suspension, or face ...

Suspended public protector Busisiwe Mkhwebane has written to President Cyril Ramaphosa demanding the immediate reversal ...

Belinda Pheto
News Editor

Employee describes burglary at Ramaphosa's game farm

An employee at President Cyril Ramaphosa's Phala Phala game farm near Bela Bela in Limpopo says he saw footage of the ...

Tankiso Makhetha
Investigative reporter

OPINION & ANALYSIS

MAKHUDU SEFARA | Find your balls and ditch Cyril ...

Ramaphosa is pulling a Zuma on us, but his removal can only be engineered from within the ANC and that’s unlikely

Makhudu Sefara
Editor: Sunday Times and TimesLIVE

TONY LEON | The scandal surrounding Cyril has opened yet another gate

Watergate or Farmgate: Nixon said he wasn’t a ‘crook’ and Ramaphosa says he’s a ‘process person’

Tony Leon
Columnist

SIBONGAKONKE SHOBA | Ramaphosa's wasted opportunity to come clean

President Cyril Ramaphosa is deep in a dark trench – exactly where his opponents want him to be five months before the ...

Sibongakonke Shoba
Politics editor: Sunday Times

KWANELE NDLOVU | ‘The Phala Phala Heist’, starring the president and the ...

When the news of the “Phala Phala heist” broke, I couldn’t fathom how a man could stand before us and deliver the state ...

By Kwanele Ndlovu

SONGEZO ZIBI | If farmgate proves anything, it’s that the entire ANC is ...

Arthur Fraser’s poor track record and motives are no reason for Cyril Ramaphosa to avoid public accounting

By Songezo Zibi

LATEST NEWS

'We must be treated the same' – Ace Magashule ...

Suspended ANC secretary-general Ace Magashule has weighed in on calls for President Cyril Ramaphosa to step aside, ...

Ramaphosa shies away from 'farmgate scandal', citing legal advice

President Cyril Ramaphosa says he will not discuss details of the 'farmgate scandal', citing legal advice.

Andisiwe Makinana
Political correspondent

Parliament disruptions delay Ramaphosa's budget reply by more than three ...

Disruption of President Cyril Ramaphosa’s reply to debate on the presidency budget vote continued in parliament on ...

Andisiwe Makinana
Political correspondent

WATCH | 'We are being sexually harassed under your watch': Second day of ...

Parliament descended into chaos for the second day running on Friday morning as EFF MPs continued to disrupt ...

By TIMES LIVE VIDEO

RECORDED | Ramaphosa briefs media on issues surrounding his office

President Cyril Ramaphosa is on Friday briefing the media on allegations of corruption levelled against him by former ...

By TimesLIVE

LATEST NEWS

Steenhuisen to Ramaphosa: Farmgate is a big, ugly ...

DA leader John Steenhuisen has compared President Cyril Ramaphosa to a two-bit mob boss and his Farmgate scandal to his ...

Andisiwe Makinana
Political correspondent

LISTEN | ‘We can’t be addressed by a criminal’: Chaos as Ramaphosa ...

MPs did not let the opportunity to heckle the president regarding allegations of money laundering and corruption at his ...

By TimesLIVE

‘The worse crime is assuming someone is guilty because there’s a ...

Deputy minister of higher education, science and innovation Buti Manamela was disappointed that MPs, as people who ...

Andisiwe Makinana
Political correspondent

Verdict on parliament probe into Ramaphosa's 'farmgate' due next week

National Assembly speaker Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula says she will communicate her decision on whether there will be an ...

Andisiwe Makinana
Political correspondent

Ramaphosa scandal overshadows budget vote as MPs demand answers

The EFF may have been removed from the National Assembly chamber on Thursday, but other opposition party leaders did ...

Amanda Khoza
Presidency reporter

LATEST NEWS

Mantashe comes to Ramaphosa's defence: ANC ...

For the first time in history, a president is being persecuted for being a victim of a crime and not because they stole ...

Will Ramaphosa step aside? Pule Mabe explains

"You step aside when you are indicted to appear in a court of law and have been charged with serious crimes. As matters ...

Mkhwebane probes Ramaphosa for 'breach' of executive ethics code

Public protector Busisiwe Mkhwebane said on Wednesday she has received a complaint against President Cyril Ramaphosa ...

Ernest Mabuza
Journalist

Ramaphosa suspends Mkhwebane

President Cyril Ramaphosa has suspended public protector Busisiwe Mkhwebane with immediate effect.

By FRANNY RABKIN

Cyril’s alleged cash thief ‘sought protection’ from Cape Town underworld

Former spy boss Arthur Fraser is said to have met a prominent underworld figure who spoke of the man’s ‘spending spree’

By Aron Hyman, Philani Nombembe and Graeme Hosken

OPINION & ANALYSIS

WILLIAM GUMEDE | This is Ramaphosa’s ‘pay back ...

The ANC president’s detractors are more than likely going to use the step-aside rule to get him to drop the reins

MAKHUDU SEFARA | Cyril, talk to us and put the matter to bed – or quit

‘No comment, I don’t want to incriminate myself’ is an excuse reserved for thieves and murderers, not a sitting ...

Makhudu Sefara
Editor: Sunday Times and TimesLIVE

Bend opinion all you like, politicos, but we won’t be beholden to you

We are not spin doctors. We are balanced and fair, and will remain so, no matter what

TOM EATON | Cyril, please cut the 40 inches of bull and pretend to be a ...

Dear leader, in a country lacking such and tormented by hustlers, could you put your side hustle on the back burner for ...

Tom Eaton
Columnist

EUSEBIUS MCKAISER | Dear President Cyril Ramaphosa — time is running out

Dear President Cyril Ramaphosa. If you are capable of leading South Africa then why don't you?

Eusebius McKaiser
Contributor and analyst

LATEST NEWS

Presidential heist charges: Did President Cyril ...

Affidavit of ex-spy boss Arthur Fraser details alleged theft of cash hidden in furniture and hunt for suspects in Cape ...

By Thanduxolo Jika, Andisiwe Makinana and Philani Nombembe

EFF doesn't believe Ramaphosa, will 'disrupt him' until he comes clean or ...

EFF leader Julius Malema says the party is not buying President Cyril Ramaphosa’s story that he was not involved in the ...

Mawande AmaShabalala
Political journalist

WATCH | CCTV footage purports to show burglary at Ramaphosa's house

The video shows two men sneaking around a house, moving the cameras as they navigate their way towards the entrance. ...

Anthony Molyneaux
Lead video journalist

Mashaba and Steenhuisen to write to Sars and Reserve Bank over Ramaphosa ...

Politicians have reacted to a robbery at President Cyril Ramaphosa's farm, calling for the SA Revenue Service and SA ...

Employee describes burglary at Ramaphosa's game farm

An employee at President Cyril Ramaphosa's Phala Phala game farm near Bela Bela in Limpopo says he saw footage of the ...

Tankiso Makhetha
Investigative reporter

OPINION & ANALYSIS

EDITORIAL | Nothing short of full, frank ...

Arthur Fraser may have an obvious agenda in bringing his accusations, but Ramaphosa needs to give SA an honest and ...

By Sunday Times

EUSEBIUS MCKAISER | Dear President Cyril Ramaphosa — time is running out

Dear President Cyril Ramaphosa. If you are capable of leading South Africa then why don't you?

Eusebius McKaiser
Contributor and analyst

VINCENT MAGWENYA | Spurious allegations won’t distract Ramaphosa from his ...

The claims made this week in a criminal complaint against President Cyril Ramaphosa are transparent in their purpose to ...

By Vincent Magwenya

JUSTICE MALALA | If Cyril can’t answer crucial questions, SA will be back ...

If Fraser’s allegations force Ramaphosa out of office, his faction will collapse and the state capture brigade will ...

MAKHUDU SEFARA | If you’ve got proof, reveal it, Fraser. SA’s future is at ...

Why would a president keep $4m cash in their house and keep quiet when robbed?

Makhudu Sefara
Editor: Sunday Times and TimesLIVE

LISTEN ARTICLES

PODCAST | EXPLAINER: The legal questions Ramaphosa must answer

What was his obligation? What if it is true that he paid the thieves to keep quiet? Prof Pierre de Vos clears the air

Eusebius McKaiser
Contributor and analyst

LISTEN | 'If they want to charge the president, they will do so': David ...

Deputy president David Mabuza has urged South Africans to allow law enforcement agencies to investigate the allegations ...

Amanda Khoza
Presidency reporter

PODCAST | Fraser’s charges against Cyril: serious scandal or game of ...

Who is Arthur Fraser in our political landscape, and why he might make claims about the president?

By Mike Siluma

LATEST NEWS

Arthur Fraser lays criminal charges against Cyril ...

Former correctional services commissioner Arthur Fraser said on Wednesday he has laid criminal charges against ...

By TimesLIVE

POLL | What do you think of Ramaphosa ‘not alerting’ Bheki Cele to farm ...

Police minister Bheki Cele said cases are not reported directly to him, and he is not privy to information surrounding ...

WATCH | Inside Ramaphosa’s ‘rare game’ farm and previous controversy

President Cyril Ramaphosa's Phala Phala farm in Bela-Bela, Limpopo, continues to make headlines after allegations of a ...

Fraser's allegations are nothing but 'dirty politics', says Ramaphosa

President Cyril Ramaphosa on Sunday said "dirty politics" were behind allegations that he was involved in crime.

By Kgothatso Madisa and Mawande AmaShabalala

‘Distraction’ or clearing the air: SA weighs in on Ramaphosa dismissing ...

Former spy boss Arthur Fraser said the incident allegedly happened on February 9 2020 and claimed he had evidence ...


EDITORIAL | Lady Justice, give SA the happy ...

The accusation against Ramaphosa’s ally comes as the number one is under public scrutiny for serious allegations.

RECORDED | Political parties on Phala Phala action against Ramaphosa

Opposition parties are on Wednesday briefing the media on the action they plan to take against President Cyril ...

By TimesLIVE

Probe into my 'prior knowledge' of Phala Phala theft a fishing expedition, ...

Deputy state security minister Zizi Kodwa believes the investigation into his alleged role in the Phala Phala farm ...

JUSTICE MALALA | It’s make or break away as ‘ANC loyalists’ get a backbone

These newly awakened champions of clean governance could’ve gone with Cope or EFF a long time ago, but it’s never too ...

Cyril should’ve trusted ANC members to carry Phala Phala load with him: ...

The president has been filling in everyone but those who elected him to office, says the former North West leader

By KGOTHATSO MADISA and MAWANDE AMASHABALALA

Would you like to comment on this article?
Sign up (it's quick and free) or sign in now.

Speech Bubbles

Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.