Release Ramaphosa’s Phala Phala answers, IRR urges Gcaleka

Acting Public Protector Advocate Kholeka Gcaleka should update the status of the so-called Phala Phala Report and publish President Cyril Ramaphosa’s answers to the so-called ‘31 Phala Phala questions’ put to him by Public Protector Busisiwe Mkhwebane two days before he suspended her on 9 June last year, says the Institute of Race Relations (IRR).

The request is contained in letter to Gcaleka, which is a follow-up to an initial letter to her on 5 December.

In a statement, the IRR notes: ‘Despite our request and subsequent PAIA application, the Acting Public Protector’s office has not published the president’s answers to Advocate Mkhwebane’s 31 questions.

‘On 10 March (13 days ago) Adv. Gcaleka sent her preliminary report to its subjects for their response, requesting that this be provided within ten days. However, due to an alleged leak, rumours of the report’s contents are rife, increasingly eroding trust in the process.

‘Therefore, we have sent her a letter requesting clarity on the following: (i) Have any of the respondents asked for and been granted an extension to respond? (ii) Are you prepared to release the findings? (iii) Do you agree that transparency is essential to mitigating credibility risks?’

Says IRR Campaign Manager Mlondi Mdluli: ‘There is no reason for Adv. Gcaleka to withhold President Ramaphosa’s answers to the 31 questions on Phala Phala. It is well within her powers to make them public.’