A South African court has temporarily halted a parliamentary impeachment inquiry into President Cyril Ramaphosa over the “Farmgate” cash scandal while he challenges an independent panel’s findings against him.
The Western Cape High Court on Friday granted Ramaphosa an interim order preventing Parliament’s Section 89 committee from continuing its investigation, according to public broadcaster SABC.
The inquiry relates to the theft of around $580,000 in cash from Ramaphosa’s private Phala Phala game farm in 2020. The money was reportedly concealed inside a sofa.
An independent panel appointed by the National Assembly concluded in 2022 that Ramaphosa may have committed serious misconduct and potentially violated the constitution by failing to report the theft to police.
Political opponents also raised questions about the origin of the cash and accused the president of possible money laundering.
Ramaphosa has denied wrongdoing, saying the money came from the sale of game from the farm.
The court order suspends the impeachment proceedings until early September, when Ramaphosa is expected to ask the court to set aside the panel’s report. The report found prima facie evidence that he may have breached the constitution.
Ramaphosa’s office said the president had noted the ruling and remained committed to cooperating with constitutional accountability processes.
The Democratic Alliance, the African National Congress’ main coalition partner, called for the legal challenge to be resolved quickly, saying South Africans deserved clarity and accountability over the allegations.