South African Parliament will hold the first meeting of a special impeachment committee on Monday to examine allegations against President Cyril Ramaphosa linked to the 'Farmgate' scandal. The committee’s formation follows a recent ruling by the Constitutional Court reviving impeachment proceedings that had previously stalled.

The 31-member committee will begin its work by electing a chairperson, according to George Michalakis, the Democratic Alliance’s chief whip in the National Council of Provinces. Michalakis said the DA is firmly opposed to an African National Congress (ANC) member leading the committee. "The positive sign is that Parliament appears to be moving forward," he said.

The 'Farmgate' scandal centers on large amounts of cash stolen from a sofa at Ramaphosa’s game farm in 2020. Questions have been raised about the origin of the money and why it was concealed in furniture. President Ramaphosa has denied any wrongdoing in the matter.

On Tuesday, Ramaphosa filed a court challenge against the findings of an independent panel that concluded there was preliminary evidence he may have committed misconduct. He has also threatened to seek an urgent court order to suspend the impeachment proceedings while his legal challenge remains pending.

The Democratic Alliance (DA), the second-largest party in South Africa’s coalition government alongside Ramaphosa’s ANC, remains critical of the president’s conduct. The party has vowed to hold him accountable for any findings of misconduct.

The ANC holds approximately 40% of the seats in the National Assembly. An impeachment vote would require a two-thirds majority to pass. The ANC party leadership has repeatedly expressed its full support for President Ramaphosa. A spokesperson for Parliament and Ramaphosa’s office both declined to comment on the upcoming committee meeting.