The Office of the Public Protector of South Africa (PPSA) announced that it is considering to invoke its subpoena powers to bring the South African President, Cyril Ramaphosa, to testify in connection with the ongoing investigation into the criminal charges against him.
In early June, former State Security Agency chief Arthur Fraser filed a criminal complaint against the head of state, accusing him of breaching the Prevention of Organized Crime Act by concealing a burglary, which occurred in February 2020 on his private farm, where millions of dollars in cash were allegedly stolen. Fraser explained that “the suspects were kidnapped, interrogated and paid to keep quiet”.
Following these accusations, the former Public Protector, Busisiwe Mkhwebane, decided to open an investigation against the President after receiving a complaint filed by a political party.
In a statement, PPSA spokesman Oupa Segalwe pointed out that the subpoena power allows the Public Protector to order the head of state to submit an affidavit, appear before the body to testify or provide any document in its possession or under its control which has a bearing on the matter under investigation.