The man who first exposed the Phala Phala scandal, Arthur Fraser, has dropped a new political bombshell. The former head of South Africa’s spies claims he was offered a staggering R50 million bribe and a "blank cheque" to make the criminal case against President Cyril Ramaphosa disappear.
In a shocking five-hour interview for a new podcast called Unpopular Opinion, Fraser alleged that the offers started coming in less than two weeks after he first opened a case against the President in June 2022. He claims he was even offered his choice of any government department to run—including the country’s intelligence services.
The Underworld Connection
Fraser’s claims involve some very dangerous names. He alleged that a former associate of his was approached by Mark Lifman, a well-known Cape Town businessman who was recently killed. According to Fraser, Lifman claimed to be working with someone very close to President Ramaphosa.
"He indicated that the president had asked him to make this matter go away," Fraser said during the interview. "And that he was offering me R50 million to collapse this case."
But Fraser says the offer didn't stop at cash. He claims he was told he could pick any job he wanted in the government. "They would give it to me, including intelligence," he alleged.
Promises to "Clean" His Name
Perhaps the most shocking part of Fraser’s story is the claim that his own legal troubles could be wiped away. Fraser has been heavily criticised by the Zondo Commission, which investigated "state capture" or government corruption. The commission found that Fraser had been a "law unto himself" and recommended he be investigated for criminal acts.
Fraser claims he was told that if he dropped the Phala Phala case, those findings would vanish. "They told me they would get chairperson Zondo to amend his findings against me," he alleged.
He says he became suspicious when the final Zondo report was delayed just days after this alleged offer. "I realized – this thing can’t be a coincidence," he said.
From Bribes to Threats
When Fraser allegedly said "no" to the R50 million, he claims the offer was increased to a "blank cheque." "You must just put the number – how much you want," he was told.
But when he continued to refuse, Fraser says the tone changed from bribes to scary threats. He claims that during one meeting, a close associate of the President was put on speakerphone. This person allegedly warned that if Fraser didn't take the deal, they would get a powerful taxi boss to "deal" with him.
Fraser says he told them to "get lost," but the experience convinced him that there was a massive operation underway to protect the President at all costs.
Why Was the Case Closed?
Fraser also used the interview to ask why the police and prosecutors closed the case he opened against the President. He noted that while the people accused of actually stealing the money from the farm are being prosecuted, his complaint about the President’s role was shut down.
"My case is closed. They said there was nothing," Fraser said. He pointed out that other investigations, like those by the police watchdog IPID, seemed to tell a different story.
The Sofa Scandal Returns
These new allegations come at a terrible time for President Ramaphosa. Just days ago, the Constitutional Court ruled that Parliament must set up a special committee to investigate the Phala Phala scandal.
The scandal involves hundreds of thousands of US dollars in cash that were found hidden inside a sofa at the President’s private game farm in Limpopo. While the President says the money was from a legal sale of animals, Fraser has always claimed there was a massive cover-up.
The President’s spokesperson has not yet responded to these new and explosive claims from the former spy boss. As the impeachment committee prepares to start its work, these allegations of bribes and "blank cheques" are sure to make the political heat even more intense for the man in the Union Buildings.
