ActionSA has formally submitted an application last week, in terms of the Promotion of Access to Information Act (PAIA), to obtain the Independent Police Investigative Directorate’s (IPID) report on the theft that took place at President Cyril Ramaphosa’s Phala Phala farm. ActionSA is initiating this step with the commitment to contest this matter in the High Court if necessary.
This is after the Minister of Police, Senzo Mchunu, described the report as “classified” and informed the public that the report would not be made public.
Section 3(4)(4) of the Minimum Information Security Standards (MISS) Cabinet policy is explicit that only matters meeting the following criteria may be classified as Top Secret:
– Can result in the declaration of war;
– Can lead to the discontinuation of diplomatic relations between states;
– Can seriously damage operational relations between institutions;
– Can disrupt the effective execution of information operational planning and/or plans.
It must be stressed that a Cabinet policy is subordinate to higher legislation, including the Promotion of Access to Information Act and the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa.
Regrettably, South Africans have a sense of déjà vu, with Police Ministers once again appearing to abuse the law to shield the President—where even swimming pools have been seriously presented as fire protection measures. The conduct of the Presidential Protection Unit, led by Major General Wally Rhoode, is a direct extension of the President’s exercise of executive authority. If abuses of office have occurred, they must be subjected to the proper scrutiny of our democratic institutions.
After a whitewashed report by Public Protector Kholeka Gcaleka, and despite the South African Reserve Bank clearing the President of violating exchange control laws, the South African public still does not have access to the information it rightfully deserves. Upon entering Parliament last year, ActionSA declared that it would not simply allow the Phala Phala matter to be swept aside in the manner now seemingly accepted by parties in the Government of National Unity (GNU), whose access to power is now tied to the President.
The filing of this PAIA application is a fulfilment of our promise to demand transparency from the grand coalition government and to ensure that its leaders act with ethical consideration. ActionSA will continue to serve as an uncompromised, unofficial opposition—filling the void left by former opposition parties that stampeded for power last year.
Transparency is not optional. It can never be subjected to political compromise, and it is needed now more than ever, with a colossal GNU constituting 70% of the South African Parliament. South Africans deserve answers on Phala Phala, and ActionSA’s application is one step towards ensuring those answers are delivered.
ActionSA Submits PAIA Request for IPID Report on Phala Phala
ActionSA has formally submitted an application last week, in terms of the Promotion of Access to Information Act (PAIA), to obtain the Independent Police Investigative Directorate’s (IPID) report on the theft that took place at President Cyril Ramaphosa’s Phala Phala farm. ActionSA is initiating this step with the commitment to contest this matter in the High Court if necessary.
This is after the Minister of Police, Senzo Mchunu, described the report as “classified” and informed the public that the report would not be made public.
Section 3(4)(4) of the Minimum Information Security Standards (MISS) Cabinet policy is explicit that only matters meeting the following criteria may be classified as Top Secret:
– Can result in the declaration of war;
– Can lead to the discontinuation of diplomatic relations between states;
– Can seriously damage operational relations between institutions;
– Can disrupt the effective execution of information operational planning and/or plans.
It must be stressed that a Cabinet policy is subordinate to higher legislation, including the Promotion of Access to Information Act and the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa.
Regrettably, South Africans have a sense of déjà vu, with Police Ministers once again appearing to abuse the law to shield the President—where even swimming pools have been seriously presented as fire protection measures. The conduct of the Presidential Protection Unit, led by Major General Wally Rhoode, is a direct extension of the President’s exercise of executive authority. If abuses of office have occurred, they must be subjected to the proper scrutiny of our democratic institutions.
After a whitewashed report by Public Protector Kholeka Gcaleka, and despite the South African Reserve Bank clearing the President of violating exchange control laws, the South African public still does not have access to the information it rightfully deserves. Upon entering Parliament last year, ActionSA declared that it would not simply allow the Phala Phala matter to be swept aside in the manner now seemingly accepted by parties in the Government of National Unity (GNU), whose access to power is now tied to the President.
The filing of this PAIA application is a fulfilment of our promise to demand transparency from the grand coalition government and to ensure that its leaders act with ethical consideration. ActionSA will continue to serve as an uncompromised, unofficial opposition—filling the void left by former opposition parties that stampeded for power last year.
Transparency is not optional. It can never be subjected to political compromise, and it is needed now more than ever, with a colossal GNU constituting 70% of the South African Parliament. South Africans deserve answers on Phala Phala, and ActionSA’s application is one step towards ensuring those answers are delivered.