South African court suspends impeachment proceedings against President Ramaphosa
via SeneNews2 min read
A South African court has temporarily halted impeachment proceedings against President Cyril Ramaphosa. The President is accused of concealing the theft of $580,000 in cash from his Phala Phala farm in 2020. Ramaphosa had requested the Western Cape High Court to suspend the work of an impeachment committee until a parliamentary report from November 2022, which concluded he "could have committed" unlawful acts, is reviewed. Judge André le Grange stated that the adverse parties are prohibited from continuing the public hearing process for impeachment until the court rules on the applicant's appeal. Ramaphosa has denied any wrongdoing and ruled out resignation, stating the money came from the sale of 20 buffaloes. He claims to have informed presidential protection services about the theft. The complaint against him was filed by a former intelligence chief who alleged Ramaphosa concealed the theft of $4 million from police and tax authorities. Following the court's decision, Ramaphosa reaffirmed his respect for judicial independence and the separation of powers. The court will examine Ramaphosa's request to invalidate the 2022 report in September. If initiated, this would be the first impeachment proceeding against a sitting South African president.
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