South Africa’s Constitutional Court on Friday revived impeachment proceedings against President Cyril Ramaphosa over the “Farmgate” scandal, ruling that parliament’s 2022 decision to block an inquiry was inconsistent with the constitution.
The case centres on the theft of a large amount of foreign currency from Ramaphosa’s Phala Phala farmhouse in 2020 and allegations that he failed to properly account for the cash.
Chief Justice Mandisa Maya said the National Assembly’s vote to halt the process was invalid and ordered that an independent panel’s report be referred to an impeachment committee.
Ramaphosa’s office said the president respected the court’s judgment and maintained that no one was above the law.
The ruling follows a legal challenge brought by opposition parties, including the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) and the African Transformation Movement (ATM).
The EFF renewed calls for Ramaphosa to resign and urged parliament to establish the impeachment committee immediately.
An independent panel had previously found preliminary evidence that Ramaphosa may have committed misconduct, but the governing African National Congress (ANC) used its parliamentary majority in 2022 to block further proceedings.
The scandal first emerged after former intelligence chief Arthur Fraser accused Ramaphosa of attempting to conceal the theft of foreign currency from his farm.
Fraser alleged that about $4 million had been stolen, while Ramaphosa said the amount taken was $580,000.
The president has consistently denied wrongdoing, saying the money came from the sale of buffalo at his game ranch.
The impeachment committee is expected to review evidence over several months before deciding whether to recommend formal proceedings.
Political analysts said Ramaphosa was still likely to survive any eventual impeachment vote in parliament.
A two-thirds majority in the National Assembly is required to remove a president from office.
Although the ANC lost its parliamentary majority in the 2024 election, it still controls more than one-third of the seats, giving Ramaphosa significant political protection.
Analysts also noted that Ramaphosa retains support within the ANC and among coalition partners, including the Democratic Alliance.
The renewed inquiry nevertheless places the president under renewed political and legal scrutiny as the Farmgate controversy continues to shadow his administration.