JOHANNESBURG – The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF), South Africa’s prominent opposition party, presented a case to the Constitutional Court on Tuesday, seeking to reinstate impeachment proceedings against President Cyril Ramaphosa in connection with the “Farmgate” scandal.
The controversy stems from allegations that millions of dollars in cash, hidden in furniture at Ramaphosa’s Phala Phala game farm, were stolen. The incident came to light when a former intelligence official reported it to police.
An independent panel in 2022 found initial evidence suggesting Ramaphosa may have engaged in misconduct. However, the African National Congress (ANC), which then held a majority in the National Assembly, voted to dismiss the report, blocking the establishment of an impeachment committee.
The EFF contends that the National Assembly violated its constitutional duty by failing to hold the president accountable. Meanwhile, Ramaphosa and the ANC have argued that the report lacked credible evidence, dismissing its findings as speculative and based on hearsay, as outlined in court documents.
The first hearing of the case began on Tuesday. Ramaphosa, who has consistently denied any wrongdoing and has not faced criminal charges, previously stated that the cash in question came from the legal sale of game animals.
Since the May 2024 elections, the ANC no longer holds a majority in parliament but continues to govern through a coalition with smaller parties. If the court rules in favor of the EFF, it could reignite political tensions and complicate Ramaphosa’s position as president.