Ramaphosa Rejects Resignation, Challenges Revived Impeachment Process

South African President Cyril Ramaphosa has ruled out resigning and will legally challenge a revived parliamentary impeachment process stemming from a 2022 scandal involving a theft at his private game farm. His political party, the African National Congress (ANC), has unanimously endorsed his position, closing ranks behind him despite opposition calls for his removal.

The Constitutional Court ruled last week that Parliament’s 2022 vote to block an impeachment inquiry was unconstitutional and invalid. The court ordered the matter to be referred to a newly established impeachment committee for investigation. The ruling did not make a finding on the president’s guilt or order his removal from office, focusing instead on procedural conduct.

The controversy centers on allegations that Ramaphosa failed to properly report the theft of a substantial sum of foreign currency from his Phala Phala farm four years ago. An independent panel appointed by Parliament in 2022 found preliminary evidence that he may have committed misconduct or violated the constitution. The president has consistently denied any wrongdoing, stating the money came from legitimate livestock sales.