On Friday, the Western Cape High Court sided with President Cyril Ramaphosa, granting his request to pause impeachment proceedings related to the Phala Phala farmhouse scandal. The controversy centers on $580,000 in foreign currency that was stolen from his property in 2020.
Judge Andre le Grange ordered that public impeachment hearings must cease until the court resolves the President’s challenge against a November 2022 parliamentary report. This report previously suggested that Ramaphosa might have engaged in serious misconduct. Ramaphosa maintains his innocence and has refused to resign, insisting that the stolen funds originated from livestock sales and were properly managed.
The legal challenge originated from allegations made by a former intelligence official linked to ex-President Jacob Zuma. While the original accusations claimed $4 million was involved, the focus remains on the $580,000 hidden in a sofa at his Limpopo estate. Following the court’s latest decision, Ramaphosa expressed his commitment to constitutional processes and judicial independence. The court is scheduled to review the validity of the 2022 panel report this September.
