In brief
The Constitutional Court now restrains the parliamentary committee that had been prepared to probe President Cyril Ramaphosa over the alleged theft of cash from his private farm. The shackles apply until Ramaphosa’s own court case on the matter is concluded in September. The decision follows a broader context of political fallout from the 2020 “Farmgate” robbery that saw large amounts of money buried in a sofa, with claims that the money was then concealed from authorities. The ruling gives Ramaphosa a window to clear his name before the impeachment process resumes, while critics argue it is a manoeuvre to stall accountability.
A South African court has ruled in favour of President Cyril Ramaphosa’s bid to temporarily halt a parliamentary inquiry that could lead to his impeachment over the so‑called “Farmgate” scandal. The decision follows a February 2022 panel that suggested the president might face an impeachment case after burglars stole more than 580,000 US dollars, hidden in a sofa at his private farm in Phala Phala, Limpopo province.
The president denied any wrongdoing and claimed the cash had come from buffalo sales. Parliament had originally voted against launching an impeachment inquiry, but in May the Constitutional Court ruled that this refusal was unlawful because the panel’s report had not been properly shelved. The ruling opened the door for Parliament to revive the impeachment process.
In a separate move, Ramaphosa is challenging the panel’s findings in a court case due to be heard in September. The latest court decision, issued by a Western Cape high court judge, means the impeachment committee cannot proceed until Ramaphosa’s case is resolved. The president has said he will use this time to clear his name.
The saga began in 2020 when the robbery was uncovered by former spy chief Arthur Fraser, who accused Ramaphosa of hiding the theft from the police and tax authorities. The stolen cash, in foreign currency, also raised concerns about possible violations of exchange control laws.
Reactions have been mixed. The Democratic Alliance said the ruling was expected but warned that the committee could still continue preparatory work. The opposition group uMkhonto weSizwe (MK) denounced the president’s use of the courts to stall an investigation that sought to uncover the truth about the farm incident. Meanwhile, the ANC welcomed the ruling, urging parties to avoid politically motivated distortions.
