South African Court Clears Way for Impeachment Proceedings Against President Ramaphosa

South Africa’s Constitutional Court has reopened the possibility of impeachment proceedings against President Cyril Ramaphosa, ruling that parliament acted unconstitutionally when it blocked an inquiry into the controversial “Farmgate” scandal in 2022.

The judgment marks a major political and legal setback for Ramaphosa, whose administration has faced mounting scrutiny over the handling of the cash theft at his private game farm.

The scandal dates back to February 2020, when a large amount of foreign currency was stolen from Ramaphosa’s Phala Phala farm in Limpopo province.

Allegations later emerged that the money, reportedly hidden inside furniture at the property, had not been properly declared.

Ramaphosa survived an impeachment attempt in December 2022 after lawmakers from his governing African National Congress (ANC) used their parliamentary majority to reject recommendations from an independent panel that he should face further investigation.

According to Al Jazeera⁠, the Constitutional Court ruled on Friday that the National Assembly failed to properly carry out its constitutional duty when it voted against establishing an impeachment inquiry.

Chief Justice Mandisa Maya said the parliamentary vote held on December 13, 2022, was “inconsistent with the Constitution, invalid, and set aside.”

The court subsequently ordered that the independent panel’s findings be referred to an impeachment committee for reconsideration.

The case was brought before the court by opposition parties, including the Economic Freedom Fighters and the African Transformation Movement.

The EFF has repeatedly demanded Ramaphosa’s resignation, arguing that the president violated constitutional and ethical obligations by allegedly concealing details surrounding the stolen cash.

Ramaphosa has consistently denied wrongdoing, maintaining that the money came from the legitimate sale of buffaloes at his farm.

He has disputed claims about the amount stolen, insisting that approximately $580,000 was taken, contrary to allegations by former intelligence chief Arthur Fraser that nearly $4 million disappeared during the robbery.

The controversy first became public in June 2022 after Fraser accused Ramaphosa of attempting to cover up the theft and using unofficial channels to track down suspects.

The allegations intensified concerns over why such a significant amount of foreign currency was being stored at a private residence instead of in a financial institution.

Although the Constitutional Court’s decision revives the impeachment process, Ramaphosa is still unlikely to be removed from office.

Any formal impeachment would require a two-thirds majority vote in parliament’s lower house.

While the ANC lost its outright majority in the 2024 elections, it still controls more than one-third of the seats, giving Ramaphosa substantial political protection.

Following the ruling, the president’s office said Ramaphosa respected the court’s judgment and reaffirmed that no individual, including the head of state, is above the law.

The newly mandated impeachment committee is expected to spend several months reviewing evidence before deciding whether to recommend a full parliamentary inquiry.