Businessman named in Farmgate scandal willing to testify over buffalo deal with President Ramaphosa

The Sudanese businessman embroiled in the Farmgate scandal is currently cooperating with the South African authorities – and would be willing to testify in any legal proceedings.

Hazim Mustafa said he would testify to shed light on his $580,000 cash purchase of 20 buffalos from President Cyril Ramaphosa’s Phala Phala game farm in December 2019.

On Tuesday, South Africa’s parliament will vote on whether to launch impeachment proceedings against Mr Ramaphosa in the wake of the Farmgate scandal.

in an exclusive interview with Sky News, Mr Mustafa said from his home in Dubai: “Anything to help justice and to show the truth. I have nothing to hide.”

Scanned customs documents mark his arrival in Johannesburg’s OR Tambo International airport and declaration of $600,000 in cash on 23 December 2019.

He said the original documents are with the South African police and asked us not to film or photograph the copies that were stapled to an affidavit.

In an independent inquiry launched by the parliament in August, Mr Ramaphosa identified Hazim Mustafa as the source of more than half a million dollars in cash stolen from the couch pillows of his farm in February 2020.

The theft and stash of cash did not come to light until June when corruption and money laundering charges were filed by the president’s political rival and former spy chief, Arthur Fraser, who claimed an undeclared theft of $4m from the farm.

Though Mr Mustafa is cooperating, he is still baffled by the uproar and allegations of corruption.

He said: “When we hear there is a money laundering scandal, we are hearing big numbers like $500m.

“It is huge amounts to be cleaned or washed and not usually the big names involved.”

Mr Mustafa said he brought in the money with the intention to buy a house – but, failing that, turned his sights to buffalo breeding.

“It is a premium meat because it is free of cholesterol and the milk of buffalo is high in protein content,” said Mr Mustafa.

“I found people there who work in safaris and was asking where I can buy good buffalo and Ankole cattle – and then they said the best and the largest one is Phala Phala.”

President Ramaphosa is known for his buffalo and Ankole cattle breeding, but Mr Mustafa still insists he wasn’t aware the buffalo or the farm belonged to the president until it made headlines.

“When I heard the news, it was the first time I knew he was the owner,” he said.

“Because if you saw the [company] structure, it belongs to a trust and that, I think, belongs to his family.”

The registered owner of Phala Phala farm is the Tshivhase Trust – a family trust.

It is a violation of South African law for the sitting president to be engaged in private business.

In a written statement to the inquiry panel, Mr Ramaphosa clarifies that he has invested his family’s money in the farm but operates largely at a loss.

“To suggest that I undertake paid work on or through the farm is mistaken. I plainly do not,” he wrote.

Read more: Ramaphosa will not resign over scandal

This is the first real challenge to President Ramaphosa’s leadership – so close to the African National Congress’ leadership election conference, due to start this weekend.

“There are still active investigations on the matter, therefore it will not be helpful to be part of a public debate about any detail until those investigations are concluded,” President Ramaphosa’s spokesman Vincent Magwenya told Sky News, when approached for comment on Mr Mustafa’s interview.