South Africa's parliament will formally launch an impeachment investigation into President Cyril Ramaphosa over the 'Farmgate' scandal, opening a new chapter in the political crisis casting a shadow over his tenure.
The Democratic Alliance (DA) said Thursday that the committee tasked with examining the allegations will hold its first meeting on Monday, following a Constitutional Court ruling that revived the process.
President Ramaphosa has denied any wrongdoing in the scandal, which centers on a large sum of cash stolen from furniture at his private farm in 2020. The case has raised questions about the money's origins and why it was concealed.
“It’s good that parliament appears to be moving forward,” said DA parliamentary leader George Michalakis.
The 31-member committee will start by electing a chairperson. “The DA’s strong view is that the chair should not be from the ANC,” Michalakis added, signaling efforts to limit influence from President Ramaphosa’s African National Congress (ANC).
The DA, the second-largest party in the coalition government with the ANC, has maintained pressure on the president and pledged to seek accountability if wrongdoing is found.
President Ramaphosa has responded by challenging the process in court. He filed a lawsuit against the report of an independent panel, which found preliminary evidence of misconduct, a move that could delay the inquiry.
He has also threatened to seek an urgent court order to halt proceedings if parliament continues while his challenge is pending.
The ANC, holding about 40% of seats in parliament, has publicly backed President Ramaphosa and retains enough support to block any impeachment vote, which requires a two-thirds majority.
However, the party controls only 9 of the 31 seats on the committee, giving opposition parties a chance to steer the inquiry as it begins.
