South African President Secures Court Injunction to Suspend Impeachment InquiryOn Friday, Western Cape High Court Judge Andre le Grange suspended the parliamentary committee’s ability to proceed with its hearings. The court ruled that proceedings must be stayed “pending the determination by this court of the applicant’s review,” referring to President Ramaphosa’s ongoing legal challenge against the panel.
The decision provides President Ramaphosa with crucial time as he seeks to clear his name regarding the allegations. During the hearing, his legal counsel argued that allowing the impeachment committee to continue its work before his separate legal review is resolved could result in irreparable damage to his reputation.
The matter was heard by a panel of three judges, with a majority ruling in the President’s favor. This verdict ensures that the impeachment proceedings cannot move forward until his other legal case has reached a final conclusion.
The controversy stems from a 2020 robbery at the President’s private farm in Phala Phala, located in the Limpopo province. During the incident, thieves reportedly stole approximately $580,000 (£430,000) in US currency, which had been hidden inside a sofa.
The details of the theft surfaced two years later when former intelligence chief Arthur Fraser submitted an explosive dossier to the police. Fraser, a prominent ally of former President Jacob Zuma, accused Ramaphosa of failing to report the theft to both law enforcement and tax authorities.
Because the stolen funds were in foreign currency, the incident has also raised concerns regarding potential violations of exchange control laws. Ramaphosa has maintained that the cash was proceeds from the sale of buffaloes.
Following the court’s decision, the President issued a statement noting that he “respects” the ruling.
Additional reporting by Pumza Fihlani in Johannesburg
