Ramaphosa defies court ruling, vows to stay as impeachment probe looms
President rejects findings as hearsay and seeks judicial review, though analysts say coalition arithmetic protects his tenure.
South African President Cyril Ramaphosa has refused to resign following a Constitutional Court ruling that referred a 2022 parliamentary report to a multi-party impeachment committee. The investigation centres on allegations that Ramaphosa covered up a 2020 burglary at his private ranch, Phala Phala, where over $500,000 was stolen from a sofa. Ramaphosa denies corruption, claiming the cash originated from buffalo sales. While the committee’s findings could lead to impeachment, analysts suggest he is likely to survive due to the arithmetic of his governing coalition, despite the scandal damaging his anti-corruption mandate and the African National Congress’s electoral support.
Addressing the nation on Monday, Ramaphosa declared his intention to remain in his post and rejected the 2022 parliamentary report as based on "hearsay allegations" with no sufficient evidence. The Constitutional Court overturned the government’s previous rejection of the 2022 report last week, referring it to a multi-party impeachment committee for a full investigation. The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) challenged the initial rejection at the Constitutional Court in Cape Town.
Ramaphosa has pledged to seek a judicial review of the report’s contents, which could delay the investigation. The ANC lost its parliamentary majority in 2024, now holding 159 of 400 seats, and governs in a coalition with the Democratic Alliance (87 seats) and other smaller parties. Analyst Chris Ogunmodede stated that Ramaphosa’s numbers in parliament "virtually guarantee that impeachment will not happen" due to coalition partners preferring stability.
The scandal, dubbed "Farmgate", has been particularly damaging for a president who rode to power in 2018 on an anti-corruption mandate. The ANC’s national vote share fell from 57.5 percent in 2019 to 40.2 percent in 2024. Despite the political headwinds, Ogunmodede noted that coalition parties are likely to prioritise government stability over removing the president.
Under Section 89 of the constitution, a two-thirds majority is required to impeach the president, meaning at least 267 lawmakers must vote in favour of removal in the 400-seat National Assembly. A no-confidence vote requires only a simple majority, but Ramaphosa would need support from coalition partners to survive such a motion. The impeachment committee’s investigation has yet to commence, with no timeframe provided for its completion.
