Former President Jacob Zuma has apparently waded into the CR17 campaign funding controversy.
Zuma posted a cryptic tweet in IsiZulu on Monday afternoon indicating that things are “bad.”
Loosely translated, the ex-president’s tweet means that things are really bad and that those involved may have to face the consequences.
CR17 campaign
South Africa has been rocked by revelations of President Cyril Ramaphosa’s CR17 campaign donors that emerged over the weekend.
The Sunday Independent revealed that, among others, the Oppenheimer family, former Absa CEO Maria Ramos, and Goldman Sachs Southern Africa CEO Colin Coleman contributed to the campaign.
The revelations stem from Public Protector Busisiwe Mkhwebane’s report into ex-Bosasa CEO Gavin Watson R500,000 donation to the CR17 campaign.
Mkhwebane expanded the scope of her investigation to include the entire campaign funding.
She found that the Ramaphosa misled Parliament about Watson’s donation, exposed himself to a risk of conflict interest, and failed to declare the donations.
She also raised suspicion of money laundering in the way the campaign funds were transferred to and from various entities.
Mkhwebane further raised concern that the huge amounts donated, allegedly totalling over R400 million, created a risk of “state capture.”
Ramaphosa denies allegations
Ramaphosa has denied any allegations of unethical or illegal conduct in the was CR17 campaign was run.
He has taken Mkhwebane’s report on judicial review with a view to setting it aside.
The North Gauteng High Court on Monday granted an interim interdict suspending implementation of Mkhwebane’s remedial actions against Ramaphosa pending finalisation of the review.