Ramaphosa Secures Legal Halt to Impeachment Inquiry Over "Farmgate" Scandal

South African President Cyril Ramaphosa has obtained a temporary court order blocking a parliamentary impeachment inquiry related to a 2020 theft at his private farm. The inquiry was initiated following a Constitutional Court ruling that parliament had previously acted unlawfully by dismissing a report on the matter.

Background

The controversy, referred to as the "Farmgate" scandal, stems from a burglary at Ramaphosa's Phala Phala farm in Limpopo in 2020. During the break-in, approximately $580,000 in foreign currency was stolen. Ramaphosa has stated the money was derived from the sale of buffalo.

"Ramaphosa has denied any wrongdoing, arguing the independent panel 'misconceived its mandate, misjudged the information placed before it and misinterpreted the four charges advanced against' him."

Timeline of Legal and Parliamentary Actions

2022

An independent parliamentary panel published a report stating that Ramaphosa "may have committed" serious violations. The parliament at the time, dominated by the African National Congress (ANC), voted to reject the report and did not proceed with impeachment.

May 2024

The Constitutional Court ruled that parliament had acted unlawfully by shelving the panel's report. The court ordered parliament to establish a committee to investigate the matter.

November 28, 2024

Following the court order, parliament announced the creation of an impeachment committee.

December 2, 2024

Ramaphosa announced he would not resign and would legally challenge the impeachment proceedings. He also filed a separate court case challenging the panel’s findings, scheduled for a later date.

Recent Court Order

A South African court has granted Ramaphosa’s request to temporarily halt the parliamentary inquiry. The legal challenge allows for a review of the independent panel’s findings while the impeachment process is paused.

Impeachment Procedure and Political Context

To remove a sitting president, the South African constitution requires a two-thirds majority vote in parliament — at least 267 of 400 lawmakers. The multi-party committee has been tasked with investigating the allegations before any vote on impeachment occurs. No timeline for the committee’s work has been provided.

The political landscape has shifted significantly. The ANC, which previously held a parliamentary majority, lost its outright majority in the 2024 general election. The party now governs as part of a coalition government. The political composition of the new parliament may influence whether ANC lawmakers vote to sustain the president in office.