South Africa's Top Court Revives Impeachment Case Against The President

South Africa’s Top Court Revives Impeachment Case Against President SOUTH AFRICA South Africa South Africa’s Constitutional Court revived the impeachment process against President Cyril Ramaphosa on Friday, ruling that parliament acted unconstitutionally when it blocked an inquiry in 2022. The case centers on a decision by the ruling African National Congress (ANC) to reject an impeachment inquiry after Ramaphosa became embroiled in an investigation into the theft of around $580,000 in cash hidden inside a sofa at his farmhouse in 2020. The scandal, dubbed “Farmgate,” triggered accusations that Ramaphosa failed to properly account for the source of the money. An independent panel later found preliminary evidence that the president may have committed serious misconduct and recommended that parliament open an impeachment inquiry. But the ANC used its parliamentary majority at the time to stop the proceedings. On Friday, South Africa’s top court ruled that parliament’s decision “is inconsistent with the Constitution, invalid, and … is set aside.” Judges ordered that the independent panel’s report be referred to an impeachment committee. The case was brought before the court by two opposition parties, the Economic Freedom Fighters and the African Transformation Movement, which have renewed calls for Ramaphosa to resign. Ramaphosa has repeatedly denied wrongdoing. He said the money came from the sale of buffalo at his farm and rejected allegations that he tried to conceal the theft to avoid questions over why such a large amount of foreign currency was being stored on a private property instead of in a bank. The impeachment committee will now review the evidence and decide whether to recommend formal proceedings against the president. Political analysts, however, said the process could take months and suggested Ramaphosa is likely to survive any eventual impeachment vote. Removing the president through impeachment requires the support of two-thirds of parliament.