South Africa’s Ramaphosa Refuses to Resign Amid Impeachment Pressure Over Phala Phala Scandal

South African President Cyril Ramaphosa has vowed not to step down after the country’s Constitutional Court opened the door for possible impeachment proceedings linked to the controversial Phala Phala cash theft scandal.

Speaking publicly on Monday, Ramaphosa dismissed speculation about his future, declaring: “I remain here and am not resigning.”

The political storm follows a Constitutional Court ruling last week which found that parliament acted unconstitutionally when it voted against establishing an impeachment inquiry into the president’s handling of the Phala Phala affair in 2022.

The scandal centers on the theft of thousands of US dollars allegedly hidden inside furniture at Ramaphosa’s private game farm, known as Phala Phala. The incident triggered widespread scrutiny over the origin of the cash and whether the president properly disclosed and handled the matter.

An independent parliamentary panel previously concluded there was prima facie evidence suggesting Ramaphosa may have committed serious misconduct in relation to the case. However, the president has consistently denied any wrongdoing.

Ramaphosa maintains that the money came from the lawful sale of buffalo through his farming business and insists the allegations against him are politically motivated.

The Constitutional Court ruled that the issue deserved deeper parliamentary scrutiny through a formal impeachment process rather than being dismissed outright. In response, Ramaphosa announced plans to challenge the report in court, arguing that its conclusions relied heavily on hearsay evidence.

If impeachment proceedings move forward, opposition parties are expected to use the report as the basis for efforts to remove him from office.

Political analyst Richard Calland said Ramaphosa would likely survive a parliamentary vote because of the governing party’s majority, but warned that a full impeachment inquiry could still severely damage the president’s reputation and political legacy.

Ramaphosa has served as South Africa’s president since 2018 and remains a central figure within the ruling African National Congress amid growing political and economic challenges facing the country.

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