South African president aims to halt impeachment investigation regarding the ‘Farmgate’ scandal

South African President Cyril Ramaphosa submitted an urgent court application on Friday in an effort to prevent the initiation of a parliamentary impeachment process aimed at investigating allegations linked to his “Farmgate” scandal, according to court documents.

Ramaphosa is seeking a ruling from the high court regarding a separate application he filed to overturn the misconduct findings of an independent panel related to the scandal involving bundles of cash stolen from a sofa on his farm in 2020.

The president stated that $580,000 in cash was stolen, which was proceeds from the sale of buffaloes. However, this incident has raised questions regarding the reasons for hiding the money in furniture and whether he had declared it. Ramaphosa has refuted any allegations of misconduct.

Last month, South Africa’s constitutional court reinstated impeachment proceedings against Ramaphosa, determining that a parliamentary vote to halt the process in 2022 was invalid.

The high court is scheduled to hear his case regarding the misconduct findings from September 2 to 4.

Ramaphosa, 73, has been the head of state since 2018, and his second presidential term is set to conclude in 2029.

Farmgate has been a significant source of embarrassment for him, as he assumed power with a commitment to combat corruption and improve the reputation of his African National Congress (ANC) party.

Political analysts anticipate that he will endure if the impeachment process proceeds to a vote in parliament.