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President challenges parliamentary report
South African President Cyril Ramaphosa has filed a legal challenge against a parliamentary report that could trigger fresh impeachment proceedings. The move, lodged in the Cape Town High Court on Tuesday, seeks to invalidate the findings that accuse him of serious misconduct.
Background to the scandal
The controversy, dubbed "Farmgate" by local media, erupted in 2020 after $580,000 (£430,000) in cash was allegedly stolen from Ramaphosa's private farm, Phala Phala, in Limpopo province. An independent panel later concluded the president may have breached his oath of office by failing to report the incident or declare the foreign currency.
South African law requires foreign currency to be deposited with an authorized bank within 30 days. Ramaphosa maintained the funds stemmed from the sale of buffalo from his farm, but critics questioned the legitimacy of the transaction.
Court ruling reignites impeachment push
The Constitutional Court recently ruled that parliament acted unconstitutionally in 2022 when it rejected an impeachment inquiry into Ramaphosa. At the time, his African National Congress (ANC) held a majority, shielding him from proceedings. However, the ANC lost its majority in the 2024 general election and now governs as part of a coalition, weakening its ability to block impeachment.
Ramaphosa's legal arguments
In his court submission, the president argued the parliamentary panel "misconceived its mandate, misjudged the evidence, and misinterpreted the four charges" against him. The allegations include violating the constitution and serious misconduct. Ramaphosa stated he did not take the legal action lightly, emphasizing the need to annul the report to halt the impeachment process.
"I do not make this application lightly," Ramaphosa said in the filing.
Impeachment committee formed
Parliamentary Speaker Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula has already established a 31-member impeachment committee, comprising MPs from 16 political parties, including nine from the ANC. The committee will determine whether sufficient grounds exist to initiate formal impeachment proceedings.
What's next
The High Court will review Ramaphosa's challenge, while the impeachment committee prepares its assessment. The outcome could hinge on judicial interpretation of the panel's findings and the strength of the president's legal arguments.
