President Cyril Ramaphosa says he will uphold the integrity of his office and dismissed opposition criticism over the Phala Phala scandal.
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President Cyril Ramaphosa has responded to his detractors by what he called "political theatre or electoral posturing" after opposition parties criticised him on Tuesday over the Phala Phala scandal.
Ramaphosa made the remarks on Wednesday afternoon while responding to Tuesday's robust parliamentary debate on the Presidency's budget vote.
During the session, opposition parties criticised Ramaphosa's presidency for failing to address the country's challenges, including the high unemployment rate, poor service delivery, inadequate sanitation, rampant corruption and crime.
MPs repeatedly demanded that Ramaphosa address the Phala Phala farm robbery, in which a significant amount of foreign currency was stolen from his farm.
This comes as the Section 89 impeachment inquiry is also expected to feature prominently in parliamentary proceedings. The committee will be chaired by Rise Mzansi MP Makashule Gana.
It will examine issues relating to the theft of $580,000 allegedly hidden in a sofa at Ramaphosa's Phala Phala farm in Limpopo in February 2020.
Addressing criticism of his presidency, Ramaphosa said Tuesday's debate had demonstrated that while South Africans may differ on matters of policy and politics, there is broad agreement on the challenges confronting the nation and the urgency with which they must be addressed.
"South Africans expect of all of us not simply to diagnose the country’s problems, but to work together to solve them. They expect leadership, accountability and results. It is with that responsibility firmly in mind that the Presidency approaches its work every day."
He said that, for parliamentary oversight to be effective, it is necessary to engage not only with the grand vision but also with the granular detail that will determine whether such a vision succeeds or fails.
“Many issues were raised during the course of the debate yesterday and it is not possible in this reply to reflect on all of them."
"However, as we conclude this debate on the Presidency Budget Vote, there are some fundamental assertions that must be made."
He said the Presidency is resolutely focused on growing an inclusive economy and creating jobs, while taking a jab at detractors.
"We are not distracted by the clamour of some political parties for attention. We are not distracted by political theatre or electoral posturing."
"We will not be sidetracked by narrow agendas that have nothing to do with the needs, interests and concerns of the people of South Africa."
"As an institution and as the people who lead it, we are focused on the work that must be done to move with greater urgency and purpose to transform our economy," he told MPs.
He said the determination is shared across the government.
"It is shared by most of the Members of this House, and it is certainly shared by the people of this country."
He said economic growth is not an abstract concept.
"It is about whether a young person can find work. It is about whether a small business can expand. It is about whether investors have confidence to build factories, establish enterprises and create opportunities."
"Our task is therefore not simply to grow the economy. It is to ensure that growth is inclusive, sustainable and capable of transforming the lives of ordinary South Africans."
He said building a common future for all South Africans is the government's overriding priority.
"We can assert with confidence that we are building a Presidency capable of driving transformation across society. In many ways, we are having to rebuild the Presidency as an institution with the resources, capability and intent to provide strategic direction and coordination."
He said the Presidency is not intended to replace departments or duplicate their responsibilities.
"Its purpose is to ensure coherence across government, to drive implementation, to remove obstacles to progress and to ensure that the priorities of the nation are translated into measurable outcomes."
"In a complex and rapidly changing world, the centre of government must have both the capability and the authority to coordinate national efforts around growth, jobs, service delivery and social development."
Ramaphosa also addressed the wave of criticism over the Phala Phala matter.
"Reference was made by a number of speakers to the Section 89 process that Parliament has embarked upon following the Constitutional Court judgment."
"My approach to this matter is guided – as it has always been – by the supremacy of the Constitution and the rule of law."
He said the country's democratic institutions must be allowed to perform their work without interference or intimidation.
"I will continue to uphold the principles and safeguard the integrity of my office. I will respect the work and authority of Parliament and abide by the rulings of our courts."
"I have every confidence in the constitutional processes of our country and will continue to respect and abide by them."
"We will not allow anything to slow the momentum of growth and transformation that, with each passing day, is gaining more and more pace," he added.
Ramaphosa has recently approached the Western Cape High Court to challenge the independent panel report, which found that he may have violated the Constitution and abused his position.
He is seeking to have the report set aside, particularly the section recommending that Parliament consider impeachment proceedings against him.
The report, compiled in 2022 by an independent panel chaired by former Chief Justice Sandile Ngcobo, found prima facie evidence that Ramaphosa may have committed serious misconduct linked to the Phala Phala scandal.
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