South African President Ramaphosa Halts Impeachment Inquiry Over Farm Cash Theft

Ramaphosa Halts Impeachment Inquiry Over Farm Cash

South African President Cyril Ramaphosa has successfully obtained an urgent interdict from the Western Cape High Court, temporarily stopping an impeachment inquiry by the National Assembly. This ruling, delivered on Friday, suspends the parliamentary process that sought to investigate the President over the 2020 theft of approximately $580,000 (around £480,000) from his private Phala Phala farm.

The cash, allegedly concealed in furniture, was stolen in an incident that only came to public attention in June 2022. Ramaphosa has consistently denied any wrongdoing, asserting that the funds were from legitimate sales of buffalo. However, critics point to the failure to declare the significant sum of foreign currency to South African authorities, raising questions about financial transparency and potential breaches of ethical conduct for a head of state.

The parliamentary inquiry was initiated after a report by an independent panel found that Ramaphosa may have violated anti-corruption laws. The interim court order now allows the Public Protector, the country's ombudsman, to conduct an independent investigation into the allegations of misconduct. This development means that the National Assembly's vote on whether to proceed with impeachment will be postponed, pending further legal and investigative clarity on the matter.