By Lesedi Sibiya-Diplomatic Insider 

The ActionSA party has requested that the Public Protector reopen the investigation regarding the Phala Phala farm matter to probe the abuse of state resources in the cover up of the 2020 robbery on the president’s farm. 

The party has noted that the original report placed emphasis on the president’s conduct and his personal protection unit however the party believes that a broader lens needs to be applied to this probe in light of the findings made by the Independent Police Investigative Directorate (IPID). 

It also wants the role of officials that are closely linked to the president to be examined such as former political advisor Bejani Chauke. The Public Protector had officially closed this matter three years ago.

 Some of the recommendations made by the party includes Major General Wally Rhoode and another officer who helped trace suspects and must face police disciplinary action. 

 Acting Minister of Police, Firoz Cachalia addressed parliament last year regarding the IPID findings against them and has said that they have been cleared of misconduct by the South African Police Service (SAPS) as they conducted a disciplinary process on the matter.

 The party continues to emphasize that the report should reflect the conduct of others like Chauke and the President’s envoy to Africa.

 “His involvement in the cross-border mission points to authorisations in the presidency and are evidence of conspiracy to cover up the Phala Phala robbery extending outside of the SAPS” said ActionSA spokesperson Michael Beaumont. 

ActionSA has also called for an inquiry by the Parliamentary Portfolio Committees on the presidency and police to investigate whether or not there was a political cover-up. 

The African Transformation Movement (ATM) were the ones who laid out the original complaint to the Public Protector and have meanwhile requested Parliament to start a new impeachment process in light of the IPID report.