PRETORIA, July 25 – A South African court has temporarily halted a parliamentary impeachment inquiry into President Cyril Ramaphosa over the controversial Farmgate scandal, providing the country’s leader with temporary legal relief as he challenges findings that he may have violated the constitution.
The court order, issued on Friday, prevents Parliament’s impeachment panel from proceeding with its investigation until at least early September, when Ramaphosa is expected to return to court to seek the reversal of an earlier panel report.
The report concluded that the president may have breached the constitution, paving the way for Parliament to consider impeachment proceedings.
The Farmgate controversy stems from the theft of bundles of foreign currency hidden inside a sofa at Ramaphosa’s private game farm in 2020.
Ramaphosa has consistently denied any wrongdoing, maintaining that the $580,000 stolen represented proceeds from the legitimate sale of buffaloes.
The incident nevertheless raised public questions over why such a large amount of cash was stored on the property and dented Ramaphosa’s reputation as a leader committed to fighting corruption.
Despite the legal and political scrutiny, analysts believe the president is unlikely to face removal from office even if the impeachment process resumes.
Ramaphosa continues to enjoy the support of the governing African National Congress (ANC), which remains the largest party in South Africa’s coalition government. The ANC also holds sufficient parliamentary seats to block any motion seeking his removal.
The Democratic Alliance (DA), the ANC’s largest coalition partner, called for a swift resolution of the legal challenge.
In a statement, the party said, “South Africans are entitled to answers, and to know that the same standards of accountability apply to every person who holds public office.”
Ramaphosa’s office said the president had noted the court’s decision and would continue to cooperate with all accountability processes.
Ramaphosa, 73, has served as South Africa’s president since 2018, when he assumed office on a pledge to tackle corruption and strengthen public institutions. His current presidential term is scheduled to end in 2029.
