The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) has decided not to prosecute any of the suspects implicated in the controversial Phala Phala case.
In a statement on Thursday, the NPA said Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) in Limpopo, Adv Mukhali Ivy Thenga had taken a decision not to prosecute.
The NPA said this decision follows a comprehensive investigation process that was conducted by the Directorate for Priority Crimes Investigation (DPCI) following a complaint laid by Arthur Fraser with the South African Police Service (SAPS).
The criminal complaint was registered against President Cyril Ramaphosa.
The NPA said Fraser requested the SAPS to investigate the conduct of the President and that of Major General Wally Roode, alleging that it amounted to money laundering and corruption.
“The investigations also covered any possible contravention of the lncome Tax Act 58 of 1962 and Exchange Control Regulation 1962.
“This was subsequent to the break-in and theft of an undisclosed amount of US dollars at Phala Phala Farm, Bela Bela, Limpopo,” the NPA said.
It added that the decision not to prosecute was taken by the DPP after a careful assessment of all available evidence presented to the prosecutors by the DPCI.
She concluded that there is no reasonable prospect of a successful prosecution based on evidence contained in the docket.
“The DPP made her decision in line with the Prosecution Policy of the NPA which states that a prosecutor, in deciding whether to institute criminal proceedings against an accused person, must assess whether there is sufficient and admissible evidence to provide a reasonable prospect of a successful prosecution.
Various factors must be considered when the prosecutor evaluates evidence, notably (i) the strength of the case for the State, (ii) the availability of evidence, (iii) whether the State witnesses are likely to be credible, (iv) the admissibility of evidence, (v) the reliability of evidence, and (vi) the strength of the case for the defence,“ the NPA said.
IOL previously reported that a robbery took place at Ramaphosa’s farm in February 2020.
It was reported that around $4 million was taken.
The money, later reported to be from the sale of livestock, was hidden in a couch. The robbery was reported in March of the same year.
Cape Times