South Africa’s Highest Court Overturns Rejection of Ramaphosa Scandal Report
In a significant legal development, South Africa’s Constitutional Court has overturned a previous parliamentary decision that dismissed a report implicating President Cyril Ramaphosa in a longstanding financial scandal. This decision potentially sets the stage for impeachment proceedings.
President Ramaphosa narrowly avoided impeachment proceedings in 2022, after members of the African National Congress (ANC) used their parliamentary majority to reject a critical report. This report advised a comprehensive investigation into the theft of around $580,000, discovered concealed within furniture at Ramaphosa’s Phala Phala game farm. For more on the scandal, click here.
The recent court ruling mandates that this report be directed to an impeachment committee for a detailed examination. Chief Justice Mandisa Maya stated, “In the event that the panel (of inquiry) concludes that sufficient evidence exists, the matter must be referred to the impeachment committee.”
Julius Malema, leader of the opposition Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF), has urged for Ramaphosa’s immediate resignation and the initiation of impeachment proceedings. Malema and other opposition factions challenged the ANC’s decision in court, arguing that it was an attempt to protect Ramaphosa from accountability.
Addressing supporters after the court’s decision, Malema declared, “Ramaphosa is going to jail. With the amount of shenanigans and evidence that will come out of that impeachment process, there is no way that Ramaphosa is not going to jail.”
President Ramaphosa has consistently denied any misconduct, maintaining that the money originated from the sale of buffalos on his farm. Despite reporting the theft to his security chief, a parliamentary inquiry disputed his account, recommending a full investigation.
The ongoing scandal has been a persistent political challenge for Ramaphosa, with opposition parties demanding his resignation. Although he survived the impeachment motion with the ANC’s then-majority, the party lost its parliamentary dominance in the 2024 elections, its first loss since gaining power in 1994.
Accusations have also been levied against Ramaphosa concerning tax evasion, money laundering, and violations of currency regulations, questioning the legitimacy of storing business-related money in a couch.
Vincent Magwenya, Ramaphosa’s spokesperson, reiterated the president’s commitment to cooperating with all investigations. “President Ramaphosa maintains that no person is above the law and that any allegations should be subjected to due process without fear, favour or prejudice,” Magwenya emphasized.
Previously, investigations by both the reserve bank and a public watchdog have cleared Ramaphosa of any wrongdoing.
