**South African Court Halts Impeachment Hearings Against President Ramaphosa**
A South African court has temporarily suspended public impeachment hearings against President Cyril Ramaphosa, stemming from a scandal involving the alleged theft of $580,000 from his private game farm. The Western Cape High Court issued the ruling on Friday, stating that the impeachment committee established under Section 89 of Parliament could not proceed with public hearings until it resolves Ramaphosa's separate application to overturn the report that initiated the inquiry.
The court's decision, reached by a 2-1 majority, does not prevent the impeachment committee from conducting preparatory work. Makashule Gana, the chairman of the committee, indicated that members would review the judgment to determine which aspects of their work could continue in the interim.
In response to the ruling, Ramaphosa's office expressed satisfaction, emphasizing the president's respect for judicial independence and the separation of powers. The office affirmed that Ramaphosa would continue to cooperate with the accountability processes surrounding the inquiry.
The controversy, known as the Phala Phala scandal, originates from a burglary at Ramaphosa's game farm in Limpopo in 2020. Ramaphosa has claimed that approximately $580,000 in foreign currency, which was hidden in a couch, was stolen during the incident. However, former intelligence chief Arthur Fraser alleged that the actual amount involved was $4 million. Ramaphosa has consistently denied any wrongdoing, asserting that the money was obtained from a legitimate sale of buffaloes.
An independent parliamentary panel concluded in 2022 that there was prima facie evidence suggesting Ramaphosa may have violated the law and his oath of office. However, the National Assembly, dominated by the African National Congress (ANC) at the time, rejected the report. This decision was later overturned by the Constitutional Court in May 2023, which ruled that Parliament's actions were irrational and ordered the report to be sent to an impeachment committee for further examination.
Following this ruling, Ramaphosa sought to have the report set aside in the High Court, arguing that it relied on hearsay and failed to adequately differentiate between prima facie evidence and sufficient evidence. This challenge is scheduled to be heard in September.
The court's recent ruling has drawn criticism from opposition parties. Vuyo Zungula, leader of the African Transformation Movement, described the decision as merely a delay in the impeachment process. The uMkhonto weSizwe Party also expressed disappointment, while Glynnis Breytenbach, a member of the Democratic Alliance, stated that the outcome was anticipated and would not hinder the impeachment committee's preparatory efforts.
Should the committee ultimately find sufficient grounds for impeachment, Ramaphosa's removal would require approval from at least two-thirds of the National Assembly, which consists of 400 members. Although the ANC lost its majority in the 2024 elections, it still holds 159 seats, which could be enough to block impeachment if its members remain united. The ANC currently governs in a coalition known as the Government of National Unity, which includes the Democratic Alliance and several smaller parties.
As the legal proceedings continue, the political landscape in South Africa remains tense, with the implications of the court's ruling likely to reverberate through the ongoing discussions about governance and accountability in the country.