With price tags of over R1 million on some of the livestock which were up for auction at President Cyril Ramaphosa’s Phala Phala farm in Limpopo on Saturday, it comes as no surprise that the game auction bagged more than R20 million.
Ramaphosa was one of 16 breeders who had their cattle on show at the auction. He was also present at the event which was closed to the members of the media.
According to the auction house Veewinkel, the most expensive sale was for a bull named Cumulus, which was sold for R1.65 million. Cumulus does not belong to Ramaphosa. Another bull which also does not belong to Ramaphosa called Dollar, sold for R1 million and comes with 1000 semen straws.
Ramaphosa’s bull called Heifer, Pata Pata, was sold for R650 000. The auction made more than R20 million. According to Eyewitness News, more than 60 lots were auctioned off, among them Ankole cows, and the ambryos and straws of semen belonging to the prized animals.
The auction follows news of the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (Hawks) pursuing a criminal investigation against Ramaphosa. The investigation comes after former spy boss Arthur Fraser opened a criminal case against Ramaphosa over the alleged robbery that took place at the Phala Phala farm and was later allegedly covered up.
It is alleged that an amount of $4 million which is just above R60 million was stolen at Ramaphosa’s property and the matter was covered up.
Source: Eyewitness News, The Citizen, The South African, image from Eyewitness News