Intentar ORO - Gratis
Decision to classify Phala Phala report was 'abuse of power'
The Mercury
|December 15, 2025
THE Independent Police Investigative Directorate's (IPID) investigation report into the conduct of members of the Presidential Protection Unit in relation to their involvement in the Phala Phala investigation should "never have been classified".
These are the views of political analysts and security experts, who said the decision to classify the report is a classic example of the "abuse of power to shield President Cyril Ramaphosa from being held accountable".
The scandal became public in June 2022 when former State Security Agency head Arthur Fraser filed a criminal complaint, alleging that around $4 million (later reported as closer to $580 000) in undeclared foreign currency was stolen and that Ramaphosa arranged a clandestine recovery operation without officially reporting the crime.
Esta historia es de la edición December 15, 2025 de The Mercury.
Suscríbete a Magzter GOLD para acceder a miles de historias premium seleccionadas y a más de 9000 revistas y periódicos.
¿Ya eres suscriptor? Iniciar sesión
MÁS HISTORIAS DE The Mercury
The Mercury
Give basic ingredients a budget-friendly glow-up
WE ALL know the feeling. One minute, you are living your best life in December, generously sponsoring the family braai and and soaking up every festive moment.
2 mins
January 06, 2026
The Mercury
The political economy of oil in Venezuela: Power, policy, and persistent decline
VENEZUELA'S oil industry is one of the most striking illustrations of how politics can both create and destroy economic prosperity.
4 mins
January 06, 2026
The Mercury
How India and South Africa are leveraging the circular economy to tackle e-waste
E-WASTE, the fastest-growing waste stream worldwide, is a global sustainability challenge emanating from the proliferation of technology in a consumer-driven society, which discards millions of tons of electronic devices each year.
2 mins
January 06, 2026
The Mercury
How to tackle back-to-school blues: tips for re-establishing kids’ routines
KIDS have been on holiday since early December, and with all the festivities, routines have probably flown right out the window.
2 mins
January 06, 2026
The Mercury
Reflections of genocide, the ones in the past and present
AFTER reading a 1994 book, 'A Witness to Genocide, by the late Roy Gutman, who charged that in that era of satellite technology, how come the US and Europe, who routinely share matters of threats to peace and security, remain silent until the dykes burst?
1 min
January 06, 2026
The Mercury
Jan Van Goyen can paint a 'King's' portrait
THE L'Ormarins King's Plate meeting is one of the iconic meetings of the South African turf and features the country's oldest race, which has been run annually since 1861.
4 mins
January 06, 2026
The Mercury
Smith ready to take his chance with both hands
JASON Smith belongs to an elite group of cricketers in South Africa that have actually won an ICC white-ball limited overs World Cup.
2 mins
January 06, 2026
The Mercury
Two killed in series of Russian attacks
RUSSIA bombarded Ukraine yesterday, killing two people in the Kyiv region, authorities said on the eve of a diplomatic summit in France.
2 mins
January 06, 2026
The Mercury
Food prices ease over festive season, but hunger persists
Millions of low-income households remain under severe financial strain, warns civil society groups
2 mins
January 06, 2026
The Mercury
Sharks must cure European travel sickness if they are to progress
IF THE Sharks can find a cure for their recent European travel sickness in Manchester on Saturday, they can strengthen their chances of advancing to the Investec Champions Cup playoffs.
2 mins
January 06, 2026
Listen
Translate
Change font size