Johannesburg — ANC veteran and businessman Tokyo Sexwale has accused President Cyril Ramaphosa of “lying to South Africa” about the Phala Phala farm scandal, reigniting political pressure on the president as fresh allegations emerge of a private meeting with controversial Zimbabwean businessman Wicknell Chivayo.
Speaking at a business forum in Sandton on Thursday, Sexwale said the president’s public account of the 2020 theft of US dollars from his Limpopo game farm did not match “what many in the movement know to be true.”
“The Phala Phala matter has not been truthfully explained to the people of this country. The president is lying to South Africa, and the truth will come out,” Sexwale told attendees. He did not provide specific evidence but said ANC members were “deeply concerned” about accountability.
The remarks come days after unverified reports circulated that Ramaphosa allegedly met Zimbabwean tender tycoon Wicknell Chivayo in Pretoria earlier this year. Chivayo, who has faced fraud allegations in Zimbabwe and is known for his close ties to ZANU-PF officials, has not publicly confirmed any meeting.
Sources claiming knowledge of the alleged meeting, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said it related to “energy and mining opportunities” but gave no details. The Presidency has not responded to questions about whether such a meeting took place.
Phala Phala Background The Phala Phala scandal erupted in June 2022 when former spy boss Arthur Fraser laid criminal charges against Ramaphosa, alleging the president concealed the 2020 theft of at least US$580,000 in cash from his farm. Ramaphosa has maintained the money was from a legitimate sale of game, and that he reported the theft to his head of security.
A Section 89 independent panel found Ramaphosa may have a case to answer, but Parliament voted against adopting the report in December 2022. The Public Protector cleared Ramaphosa of wrongdoing in June 2023, while the Reserve Bank found no exchange control violations. The Hawks investigation remains open.
Political Fallout Sexwale, a former Gauteng premier and Robben Island prisoner, is considered an ANC heavyweight but holds no current party or government position. His intervention adds to pressure from opposition parties who continue to demand further investigation into Phala Phala.
DA leader John Steenhuisen said Sexwale’s comments “confirm what we’ve said all along — the president has not been honest with the public.” The EFF called for Ramaphosa to “step aside until his name is cleared.”
The ANC has not officially responded to Sexwale’s remarks. In June, ANC Secretary-General Fikile Mbalula said the party considered the Phala Phala matter “closed” after the Public Protector’s report.
Chivayo Link Unclear Chivayo was convicted of fraud in 2005 in Zimbabwe and later received multi-million dollar government contracts through his company Intratrek Zimbabwe. He has often posted photos with regional leaders on social media.
There is no public record of business between Chivayo and the South African state. The Presidency did not respond to requests for comment on the alleged meeting by deadline. Chivayo could not be reached.
Analysts say the combination of Sexwale’s accusations and the Chivayo allegations may complicate Ramaphosa’s efforts to project a clean governance image ahead of the ANC’s 2027 elective conference.
“If senior ANC figures are publicly questioning the president’s honesty, and if meetings with controversial foreign businessmen are alleged, it feeds a narrative of trust deficit,” said political analyst Prof. Sipho Seepe.
Ramaphosa is expected to address the media at the ANC National Executive Committee meeting this weekend.
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Editor’s note: This story includes allegations that have not been independently verified. The Presidency and Mr. Chivayo were contacted for comment. The Phala Phala matter remains under investigation by the Hawks.