Relentless calls for the resignation of South African President Cyril Ramaphosa on money laundering charges have drawn mixed reactions in the country.
It comes after former intelligence chief Arthur Fraser filed a criminal complaint against president Ramaphosa, accusing him of money laundering and failing to report a theft from his farm.
The theft, committed two years ago and only made public last week, has sparked outrage among South Africans, who wonder why there was so much foreign currency on the president’s farm.
Political actors and some representatives of public opinion have been calling on Cyril Ramaphosa to resign since the announcement.
This is particularly the case of Julius Malema, chairman of the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF), the third party in Parliament, who declared: “Money laundering is a serious crime, and the president has broken his oath.”
President Ramaphosa denied any wrongdoing and said the money came from the sale of game on his farm and was not stolen from taxpayers.
“I have never stolen taxpayers’ money. I want to reaffirm that I have not been involved in any criminal action and, once again, I promise to cooperate fully with any form of investigation,” he said.