South Africa’s president has taken legal action to overturn a panel’s determination that he potentially engaged in misconduct connected to a controversy involving stolen cash hidden in furniture at his property, according to broadcaster eNCA’s Tuesday report.
The president is seeking to have the 2022 finding that he possibly breached the constitution thrown out, contending the report relied on secondhand information and the panel exceeded its authority, eNCA reported, referencing court documents.
Vincent Magwenya, the president’s spokesperson, has not yet responded to requests for comment from Reuters.
The president, who has held office since 2018, has consistently maintained his innocence regarding the controversy that local news outlets have nicknamed “Farmgate.”
The incident sparked concerns about the president’s acquisition of the $580,000 in cash that he claimed was taken from his property in 2020, questions about proper declaration procedures, and why the money was concealed in furniture instead of being placed in a banking institution.
Before entering politics, the president worked as a successful businessman and explained the funds represented earnings from buffalo sales. A central bank review determined he had not broken exchange control rules.
The controversy has created significant political difficulties for the leader, who assumed power promising to combat corruption and restore the reputation of his African National Congress (ANC) party.
In 2022, ANC legislators prevented impeachment actions against the president, but the constitutional court ruled this month that the parliamentary decision was illegitimate and the accusations warrant additional investigation.
The 73-year-old president has stated he accepts the court’s decision and has resisted pressure from political opponents calling for his resignation.
His current term extends until 2029, and political experts believe he will likely survive any parliamentary impeachment vote.
The ANC reaffirmed its backing for the president this month, improving his prospects of surviving any renewed impeachment attempts.
Any impeachment would need approval from two-thirds of parliament, and despite the ANC losing its parliamentary majority in the 2024 election, the party maintains approximately 40% of National Assembly seats.
