South African President summoned to investigate allegations of kidnapping and cover-up of theft

South Africa’s corruption watchdog said on Tuesday it will use its subpoena powers to get answers from President Cyril Ramaphosa over allegations he covered up a robbery at his luxury home.
The Public Defense Office said Ramaphosa’s deadline to answer questions about the break-in expired on Monday, after an extension request was rejected. “We intend to recall the information we are requesting from the president,” office spokesman Uba Segaloy told AFP via text message.
The watchdog opened an investigation in June into potential violations of the Executive Ethics Code after Ramaphosa was accused of bribing thieves to cover up a February 2020 heist on a farm where $4 million in cash was allegedly stolen.
The case, which has increased pressure on the president amid rising tensions within the ruling African National Congress, stems from a police report submitted last month by former national intelligence chief Arthur Fraser.
Fraser alleged that thieves broke into Ramaphosa’s “Vala Vala” farm in the northeast of the country, where they found the money hidden in the furniture. Fraser also alleged that Ramaphosa hid the theft from the police and tax authorities, accused the head of state of “organizing the kidnapping and interrogation of thieves”, and then kept them silent.
Ramaphosa admitted to the theft but denied the kidnapping and bribery allegations, saying he reported the theft to the police. He also objected to the amount of money involved and said the money came from legitimate sales from his farm.