A South African businessman has laid a theft charge against President Cyril Ramaphosa for allegedly stealing his intellectual property involving an energy proposal that he had shared with the government.
According to reports monitored here on Monday, Reuben Sekwele opened a criminal case at the Booysens police station in Johannesburg in September against Ramaphosa for allegedly stealing his intellectual property.
Sekwele, who is chief executive of independent power producer Rubbytad Group, claimed he believed that Ramaphosa stole a business plan he received from the businessman in 2018 and incorporated it into the national energy plan.
The businessman claims he hand-delivered his business plan to Ramaphosa in 2018 and they even had a photo opportunity of the handover.
Police spokesperson Athlenda Mathe confirmed that a theft case has been opened against Ramaphosa but refused to shed more details.
This is the second time a criminal case has been opened against Ramaphosa following the highly publicised Phala Phala scandal in which the South African leader is accused of trying to cover up a case of money laundering, kidnapping and corruption following the theft of more than US$4 million at his farm in February 2020.
In the earlier case that was brought up by former spy boss Arthur Fraser, Ramaphosa is accused of attempting to conceal the Phala Phala theft by allegedly paying the robbers to remain silent.
JN/APA