South African President Cyril Ramaphosa has been under growing pressure after a parliamentary inquiry found evidence suggesting he may have committed serious misconduct related to a large amount of cash discovered at his private game farm following a robbery.
Ramaphosa has denied any wrongdoing, but the findings come at a critical time for the president, who rose to power after ousting his predecessor, Jacob Zuma, on a pledge to fight corruption.
Before the inquiry’s report was released on Wednesday, Ramaphosa had been the clear favourite to lead the ruling African National Congress (ANC) into the 2024 elections and secure a second presidential term. However, with less than a month before the ANC selects its next leader, the scandal has thrown his political future into uncertainty.
How It All Started
The controversy began in June when South Africa’s former spy chief, Arthur Fraser, filed a police complaint accusing Ramaphosa of money laundering and covering up a major theft of cash.
According to Fraser’s sworn statement, thieves broke into Ramaphosa’s Phala Phala game farm in February 2020 and found at least $4 million in foreign currency hidden in furniture before fleeing with the money.
Following the allegations, police launched a criminal investigation, raising questions about how Ramaphosa obtained such large sums and whether the funds were properly declared.
Ramaphosa admitted that there had been a burglary at the farm and confirmed that cash from the sale of game animals had been stolen. He insisted the amount was far less than the alleged $4 million and denied any criminal activity. He has not been charged with any offence.
Ramifications
The scandal has deeply embarrassed Ramaphosa, who has long presented himself as a leader committed to fighting graft.
In July, he overcame efforts by a rival ANC faction to remove a party rule requiring any member charged with corruption or criminal activity to step aside during investigations.
In October, he pledged to strengthen anti-corruption measures, including stricter procurement rules and greater oversight of state-owned enterprises, following the release of an inquiry into state capture under Zuma’s administration.
The Inquiry
Based on Fraser’s complaint, the African Transformation Movement (ATM), a small opposition party, filed a motion in parliament requesting a Section 89 inquiry — a process designed to assess whether a sitting president should face impeachment.
This was the first time the Section 89 mechanism, introduced in 2018, had been used. The inquiry panel’s recommendations are not binding but represent the first step in a process that could ultimately lead to Ramaphosa’s removal from office.
The panel’s findings have intensified the political crisis engulfing the president, threatening his leadership of both the ANC and the country as the 2024 general elections approach.
