South African President Faces Renewed Political Pressure Over Farm Cash Allegations

Mintesinot Niggusie

South African President Cyril Ramaphosa has said he will not resign despite renewed impeachment proceedings linked to the Phala Phala farm scandal, following a Constitutional Court ruling.

Addressing the nation on Monday, Ramaphosa said: “While there have been calls in some circles that I should resign, nothing in the Constitutional Court judgment compels me to resign my office.”

The ruling has revived scrutiny of allegations tied to the theft of foreign currency from Ramaphosa’s Phala Phala game farm in 2020. Ramaphosa has maintained that 580,000 US dollars was stolen from the sale of buffaloes, though some allegations suggest the amount was much higher.

The Constitutional Court ruled that a 2022 parliamentary decision to block impeachment proceedings was invalid. Political pressure is expected to intensify ahead of municipal elections in November, where the ANC is projected to face challenges.

The African National Congress has called a special meeting of its National Executive Committee for Tuesday to determine its response to the ruling and the future of the president's leadership.