Cyril Ramaphosa has vowed to challenge in court a report linked to the controversial Phala Phala cash scandal, insisting he will not resign despite renewed calls for impeachment.
Speaking on Monday, the South African president dismissed speculation about his future, saying: “I remain here and am not resigning.”
The move follows a ruling by South Africa’s Constitutional Court last week that parliament acted unlawfully when it blocked impeachment proceedings against Ramaphosa in 2022.
The judgement revived scrutiny over the so-called “Phala Phala” scandal, which erupted after large sums of foreign currency were allegedly stolen from furniture at the president’s private game farm in Limpopo.
An independent parliamentary panel previously concluded there was prima facie evidence suggesting Ramaphosa may have committed serious misconduct in the handling of the incident.
The president has repeatedly denied any wrongdoing, maintaining that the money came from the legitimate sale of buffalo through his farming business.
Following the Constitutional Court ruling, parliament could now reconsider impeachment proceedings, with opposition parties pushing for a full inquiry into the matter.
Ramaphosa said he intends to seek a judicial review to have the panel’s report overturned, arguing that its findings relied heavily on hearsay evidence.
If the impeachment process moves forward, the report would become central to efforts by opposition parties to remove him from office.
Political analyst Richard Calland said Ramaphosa would probably survive any parliamentary vote, but suggested the legal challenge may be aimed at preventing a politically damaging impeachment hearing that could tarnish his reputation and legacy.
