PHALA PHALA — South African President Cyril Ramaphosa is currently facing impeachment proceedings following a finding by an independent panel that he has a case to answer regarding the concealment of a 2020 theft. The theft involved $580,000 in U.S. currency from his private farm in Phala Phala, located in Limpopo province.

The incident at the farm occurred in 2020 when thieves removed U.S. dollar bills from a sofa. Ramaphosa stated the amount stolen was $580,000 and said in 2022 the funds originated from the legitimate sale of buffalo from his livestock business. Former intelligence official Arthur Fraser submitted a dossier to police in 2022 detailing the alleged theft and accused Ramaphosa of concealing the incident from police and tax authorities. Ramaphosa said, "There is no basis for the claims of criminal conduct."

Parliament subsequently established an independent panel to investigate the allegations. The panel found substantial doubt regarding the legitimacy of the stolen currency's source. The South African Reserve Bank investigated the incident and reported no violations of exchange control laws, while the Public Protector found no wrongdoing by the president.

Ramaphosa voiced his disagreement with the panel's findings. Ramaphosa said, "The independent panel misconceived its mandate, misjudged the information placed before it and misinterpreted the four charges advanced against me." His legal challenge to the panel's report is scheduled for a court hearing in September. The president has indicated he will not prevent the committee from preparatory work but will intervene if formal proceedings begin during active litigation.

Parliament has also established a committee to examine the charges against Ramaphosa and issue a recommendation, led by Makashule Gana, a Member of Parliament for Rise Mzansi. Gana said, "Ramaphosa's legal challenge will not stop the work of the committee." The Patriotic Alliance has expressed support for Ramaphosa and intends to oppose any impeachment. Constitutional rules mandate a two-thirds majority vote in parliament to remove a sitting president.

Ramaphosa is the first South African president to face impeachment proceedings under rules introduced in 2018. The 2018 procedures require an independent investigative panel and a parliamentary impeachment committee. The Constitutional Court ruled that parliament previously violated the constitution by blocking impeachment proceedings against Ramaphosa.