South Africa’s top court revives impeachment inquiry against president

South Africa's Constitutional Court has revived impeachment proceedings against President Cyril Ramaphosa by ruling that parliament's 2022 decision to block an inquiry was unconstitutional. The scandal, known as "Farmgate," concerns a large sum of foreign currency stolen from Ramaphosa's farmhouse in 2020, with accusations he failed to account for its source. The court ordered that the independent panel's report, which recommended an inquiry, be referred to an impeachment committee. Opposition parties brought the case, demanding Ramaphosa's resignation, though he denies wrongdoing, stating the money came from buffalo sales. While an impeachment committee will review evidence, Ramaphosa is likely to survive a final vote in parliament due to his party's significant representation.

South African President Cyril Ramaphosa is facing calls to resign following a Constitutional Court ruling that parliament unconstitutionally blocked impeachment proceedings against him in 2022. The court's decision stemmed from a legal challenge by opposition parties, including Julius Malema's Economic Freedom Fighters, concerning allegations of undeclared cash stolen from Ramaphosa's rural home. While Ramaphosa denied wrongdoing, impeachment proceedings were previously blocked by a parliamentary vote. The recent ruling may pave the way for new impeachment proceedings, with Malema urging the president to step down to focus on the process. The African National Congress, previously holding a parliamentary majority, now governs in a coalition following the 2024 general election.