South African President Cyril Ramaphosa has resisted mounting calls for his resignation following renewed controversy over the so-called “Farmgate” scandal involving large sums of foreign currency stolen from his ranch.
In a televised address to the nation on Monday, Ramaphosa said he respected a recent Constitutional Court ruling that reinstated impeachment proceedings against him, but insisted there was no legal basis requiring him to step down.
“While there have been calls in some circles that I should resign, nothing in the Constitutional Court judgment compels me to resign my office,” he said.
The scandal, which first emerged in 2022, centres on the alleged theft of bundles of foreign currency hidden in a sofa at Ramaphosa’s Phala Phala game farm. The incident has remained a major political embarrassment for the president, who came to office on a pledge to combat corruption and restore integrity to the governing African National Congress (ANC).
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Ramaphosa has consistently denied wrongdoing, saying the stolen money estimated at $580,000 was proceeds from the sale of game animals. However, reports from a former intelligence official have suggested the amount could have been significantly higher.
Political analysts say the timing of the renewed pressure is politically sensitive, coming ahead of municipal elections in November, where the ANC is already expected to face a difficult contest. The party has since called an urgent meeting of its National Executive Committee to determine its response.
The Constitutional Court recently ruled that a previous parliamentary decision blocking impeachment proceedings was invalid, effectively reopening investigations into the matter.
Despite the controversy, analysts believe Ramaphosa is likely to survive any impeachment vote, which would require a two-thirds majority in Parliament. Even after losing its outright majority in the 2024 elections, the ANC still holds a significant share of seats and retains coalition support.
Opposition party uMkhonto weSizwe has already pushed for a motion of no confidence, though its success remains uncertain given Ramaphosa’s expected backing from ANC lawmakers and allied parties such as the Democratic Alliance.
Ramaphosa, who has led South Africa since 2018, continues to maintain that he will defend himself as legal and political processes unfold.
