A South African court has granted President Cyril Ramaphosa a temporary reprieve, halting impeachment proceedings against him over the Phala Phala farm scandal.
The Western Cape High Court agreed to freeze the parliamentary committee’s work while the president challenges an independent panel report from November 2022.
That earlier report concluded Ramaphosa “may have committed” serious misconduct regarding foreign currency hidden inside furniture at his private ranch.
“Pending the determination by this court of the applicant’s review… respondents are interdicted from proceeding with a public impeachment hearing,” announced Judge Andre le Grange.
The scandal centers on accusations that Ramaphosa covered up a 2020 break-in at his Limpopo farmhouse involving $580,000 in hidden cash.
Ramaphosa insists he properly reported the theft to authorities and maintains the cash came from a legitimate sale of 20 buffaloes.
The original complaint came from a former intelligence chief tied to ex-President Jacob Zuma, who alleged the stolen sum was actually $4 million.
Refusing calls to step down, Ramaphosa denies all wrongdoing and maintains he never violated his oath of office.
Addressing criticism from opposition parties, the presidency issued a statement saying Ramaphosa “reaffirms his respect of judicial independence and separation of powers enshrined in our Constitution.”
The High Court plans to hear full arguments in September on whether to overturn the report that sparked the inquiry.
