South Africa's president wins bid to temporarily halt impeachment inquiry over 'Farmgate'
Summary
A South African court has temporarily stopped a parliamentary inquiry that could lead to President Cyril Ramaphosa's impeachment over a 2020 theft at his private farm. The court ruling pauses the process until a related legal case, challenging the inquiry panel's findings, is decided in September.Key Facts
- In 2020, thieves stole about $580,000 in cash hidden in a sofa on Ramaphosa's farm in Limpopo province.
- The theft became public in 2022 when a former spy chief accused Ramaphosa of hiding the incident from authorities.
- An independent panel suggested Ramaphosa might face charges related to the theft and possible law violations.
- Parliament initially blocked an impeachment inquiry but was forced to reconsider after the Constitutional Court ruled Parliament acted unlawfully.
- Ramaphosa argues the panel misunderstood its role and misjudged the evidence against him.
- A Western Cape judge suspended the impeachment hearings until Ramaphosa's challenge to the panel's findings is resolved.
- Ramaphosa’s political party, the African National Congress, no longer holds a majority and governs in coalition after recent elections.
- The president claims the stolen cash came from selling buffaloes and respects the court's recent decision to halt the inquiry.
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