BLF to approach high court over ‘MI6 project’ EFF, ‘apartheid spy’ Ramaphosa allegations
The party says the president's refusal to set up a commission proves his conflict of interest.
Andile Mngxitama at a BLF press conference. Picture: Nigel Sibanda
Black First Land First said it would approach the High Court for a Judicial Commission of Inquiry into allegations of espionage against President Cyril Ramaphosa and alleged EFF links to MI6.
This comes after Congress of the People (Cope) leader Mosiuoa Lekota early this month accused Ramaphosa of selling out during the struggle in the 1970s.
“You wrote to the Special Branch [police] that we put communist ideas in your head. In doing so, you condemned us to the Special Branch. I say this to you because the Special Branch rewarded you … and they sent you home, and we headed to Robben Island.
“We should have travelled together to the island to serve years for the struggle of our people. You made your choice then. I will not join you on your trip,” said Lekota at the time.
In his response, Ramaphosa said the accusations were false and said he would not waste money by setting up a commission to investigate false allegations.
He also warned EFF leader Julius Malema against making “dangerous” accusations of selling out, and also reminded him that his party had also been accused of being an MI6 project in the past.
Mngxitama then wrote an open letter to Ramaphosa in which he demanded a commission of inquiry into both allegations, a demand the president turned down again.
Now the BLF said it would approach the High Court for the commission.
“BLF had already cautioned the President that by virtue of the serious allegations against him, he is conflicted. Moreover, he will therefore not be in a position to act impartially in setting up the required JCOI.
“President Ramaphosa’s denial of our request for JCOI proves his conflict of interest and lack of objectivity in this matter.
“Now the path open to us is to take the matter to the High Court for the necessary relief including that the Chief Justice Mogoeng Mogoeng makes the relevant appointments for the institution of the JCOI,” said the party.
For more news your way, download The Citizen’s app for iOS and Android.
