South Africa's Court Revives Ramaphosa Impeachment

South Africa's Constitutional Court has ruled that parliament acted unlawfully by blocking impeachment proceedings against President Cyril Ramaphosa, reviving the process based on allegations from the 'Farmgate' scandal. The court ordered an independent panel’s report be referred to an impeachment committee, which will review evidence related to a 2020 theft of approximately $580,000 in foreign currency stashed at Ramaphosa's Phala Phala game farm.

The ruling came after opposition parties challenged the 2022 parliamentary vote that blocked the panel’s report. Ramaphosa admitted there had been a break-in but claimed only $580,000 was stolen from proceeds of buffalo sales and has consistently denied any wrongdoing. The scandal raised questions about how he acquired this amount in cash, whether it was properly declared, and why it was hidden in furniture rather than deposited in a bank.

Since the 2024 general election, Ramaphosa's African National Congress (ANC) has governed as part of a coalition, losing its parliamentary majority. Key partners like the Democratic Alliance have stated they will participate in any impeachment committee without prejudging its outcome. On Friday, Chief Justice Mandisa Maya declared the 2022 vote blocking the panel's report 'inconsistent with the Constitution' and invalid.

Ramaphosa addressed the nation on Monday night, stating he had no intentions to resign. According to TimesLIVE, Ramaphosa said: 'I therefore respectfully want to make it clear that I will not resign.' The ANC's National Executive Committee met in Cape Town on Tuesday afternoon, where senior advocate Tembeka Ngcukaitobi advised officials that Ramaphosa should urgently seek a legal review of the independent panel report. Political analysts note that while Ramaphosa may survive a parliamentary vote, he faces significant political challenges ahead as the impeachment committee reviews evidence from the scandal.

The Constitutional Court found parliament failed to follow due process by not considering the facts when it voted against the panel's recommendation for an impeachment inquiry. According to Reuters and Al Jazeera, South Africa's National Assembly has constitutional power to remove a president from office on grounds of serious violation of the constitution or the law, serious misconduct, or inability to perform the functions of office.

The ANC's National Executive Committee reaffirmed its 'full and continued support' for Ramaphosa. Secretary-General Fikile Mbalula stated that recalling Ramaphosa as party leader was not discussed and his resignation was 'not on the table,' according to Reuters. The committee did not discuss any measures against Ramaphosa, emphasizing their backing amidst the scandal.

National Assembly speaker Thoko Didiza appointed 31 MPs to the impeachment committee ordered by the Constitutional Court. This large number is expected to create delays and internal conflicts within the committee, potentially benefiting Ramaphosa as it may prolong the process significantly. Analysts suggest this move could be seen as a strategic favor to Ramaphosa, aiming to drag out proceedings and confuse any formal impeachment hearing.