South African President Cyril Ramaphosa has firmly rejected calls for his resignation following the revival of impeachment proceedings linked to the controversial Phala Phala cash scandal.
Speaking in a televised address on Monday, the 73-year-old leader said he had no intention of stepping down despite growing political pressure after South Africa’s Constitutional Court ruled that impeachment proceedings against him should move forward.
“I will not resign,” Ramaphosa declared. “Doing so would only give credibility to what I believe is a flawed report.”
The controversy stems from a 2020 burglary at Ramaphosa’s luxury Phala Phala farm in Limpopo Province, where large sums of foreign currency were allegedly hidden inside furniture. The incident sparked national outrage after accusations emerged that the theft was not properly reported to law enforcement and tax authorities.
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An independent panel had earlier concluded that Ramaphosa “may have committed” serious violations and misconduct over the handling of the case. However, South Africa’s parliament, dominated at the time by the ruling African National Congress (ANC), voted in 2022 against launching impeachment proceedings.
That decision was overturned last week after the Constitutional Court ruled in favour of a challenge brought by the opposition Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF), ordering that the report be referred to an impeachment committee.
Ramaphosa insisted the court ruling did not amount to a finding of guilt and argued that there was no basis for removing him from office.
The president also revealed plans to challenge the findings of the independent panel in court, saying legal advisers had identified what he described as “serious errors” in the report.
According to him, the legal review would examine issues including “grave errors of law” and what he called “unfounded conclusions of fact.”
Ramaphosa has consistently denied any wrongdoing in the matter. While acknowledging that the burglary occurred, he rejected allegations that he attempted to conceal the incident or ordered the kidnapping of suspects, claims previously made by a former intelligence official.
He maintained that the stolen money came from the legitimate sale of 20 buffaloes worth about $580,000 and said the matter was reported to police.
The scandal has continued to weigh heavily on Ramaphosa’s administration at a time when the ANC is already battling declining public support, corruption accusations, and criticism over poor governance ahead of South Africa’s upcoming municipal elections.
Once celebrated as a reform-minded leader who would restore confidence in government after the Jacob Zuma era, Ramaphosa now faces one of the biggest political battles of his presidency.
