30 April 2025
ActionSA has filed an application under the Promotion of Access to Information Act (PAIA) to obtain the Independent Police Investigative Directorate’s (IPID) report on the theft that took place at President Cyril Ramaphosa’s Phala Phala farm.
Police Minister Senzo Mchunu classified the findings of IPID’s probe into the theft of foreign currency from Ramaphosa’s farm as “top secret” in February.
Mchunu, in a written reply to a parliamentary question by African Transformation Movement (ATM) leader Vuyo Zungula last month, said the report would not be made public unless formally declassified.
Legal and constitutional basis
ActionSA national chairperson Michael Beaumont said there is now a legal and constitutional basis to justify declassifying the report as top secret.
“Section 3(4)(4) of the minimum information security standards Cabinet policy is explicit that only matters meeting the following criteria may be classified as top secret:
- Can result in the declaration of war
- Can lead to the discontinuation of diplomatic relations between states
- Can seriously damage operational relations between institutions
- Can disrupt the effective execution of information operational planning and/or plans
“It must be stressed that a Cabinet policy is subordinate to higher legislation, including the Promotion of Access to Information Act and the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa,” Beaumont said.
Source:Citizen
