Constitutional Court Ruling
South Africa's Constitutional Court has revived impeachment proceedings against President Cyril Ramaphosa, setting aside a prior parliamentary block. Chief Justice Mandisa Maya declared the 2022 National Assembly vote "inconsistent with the Constitution, invalid, and it is set aside." The court ordered that an independent panel’s report be referred to an impeachment committee.
"Farmgate" Scandal
The impeachment proceedings stem from the "Farmgate" scandal, involving the theft of a large sum of foreign currency from Ramaphosa's farmhouse in 2020. Allegations surfaced in June 2022, when former State Security Agency head Arthur Fraser accused Ramaphosa of concealing the theft. Fraser claimed about $4 million in foreign currency was stolen. Ramaphosa disputes this amount, stating that $580,000 was taken from the property.
Opposition Response
The Economic Freedom Fighters and the African Transformation Movement, two opposition parties, brought the case before the Constitutional Court. The EFF has called for Ramaphosa's resignation. The allegations against Ramaphosa include accusations that he failed to properly account for the source of the money hidden in a sofa.
Ramaphosa's Defense
Ramaphosa has denied any wrongdoing, claiming the money came from the sale of buffalo at his farm. His office stated that he respects the court’s judgement and that no one is above the law.
Impeachment Committee Review
An impeachment committee will review evidence against Ramaphosa. The committee will then decide whether to recommend formal impeachment proceedings. Even with a recommendation for impeachment, a two-thirds majority vote in the lower house of parliament would be required to remove him from office. Ramaphosa’s ANC retains more than one-third of the seats in the National Assembly.
Lengthy Process Ahead
The impeachment committee is expected to take several months before deciding whether to vote for an inquiry. The scandal sparked accusations that he had failed to properly account for the source of the money.
The sources also report that Ramaphosa disputes the total amount stolen, maintaining that $580,000 was taken, while Fraser alleged about $4 million was stolen.