CAPE TOWN, South Africa — The head of Africa’s most economically advanced nation is confronting impeachment proceedings stemming from a years-old controversy involving approximately $580,000 in cash hidden in furniture at his wildlife ranch before being stolen.
South African President Cyril Ramaphosa stands accused of improper conduct regarding where the money came from and allegedly trying to conceal the 2020 theft through his private security personnel to keep the cash’s presence secret. He has rejected any wrongdoing.
Here’s background on the “Farmgate” controversy and the reasons impeachment proceedings against Ramaphosa have been renewed years after the initial incident.
The controversy initially emerged in 2022 when a former director of South Africa’s state security agency entered a police station, disclosed the theft and charged Ramaphosa with money laundering and additional crimes. The robbery at Ramaphosa’s Phala Phala ranch occurred in February 2020, one year following Ramaphosa’s electoral victory, but remained hidden from public view.
Following these disclosures, Ramaphosa confirmed the theft occurred, but rejected any misconduct, stating he reported it immediately to the commander of his police protection detail.
Ramaphosa explained that the $580,000 in U.S. currency taken from the furniture came from legitimate buffalo sales at his ranch. He stated the cash was placed beneath sofa cushions in a guest bedroom at his farm residence by an employee worried that other staff had access to a safe.
Ramaphosa operated as a successful businessman prior to his presidency and is recognized for his passion for livestock and game breeding.
A neutral panel designated by Parliament conducted an investigation and released findings indicating preliminary evidence of serious improper conduct by Ramaphosa, including inadequate reporting of the theft, questionable money sources and the possibility that the actual amount exceeded Ramaphosa’s claims.
Ramaphosa also reportedly used his connections with the then president of neighboring Namibia to help quietly locate a theft suspect who had escaped there, the report stated. It advised a complete investigation.
Ramaphosa weathered an initial Parliamentary vote regarding the controversy in late 2022 when his African National Congress party — which held a majority then — voted to dismiss the panel findings, halting any impeachment proceedings.
Nevertheless, two opposition parties brought a case to South Africa’s highest Constitutional Court, contending that the panel report evidence should have prompted formation of an impeachment committee to thoroughly examine whether Ramaphosa committed misconduct and deserved an impeachment vote.
The court decided this month in the opposition parties’ favor, declaring the 2022 Parliamentary vote failed to follow proper procedure and should be overturned, renewing the controversy and impeachment possibility.
Parliament has announced it will establish an impeachment committee for a thorough investigation.
Ramaphosa has stated he will not step down and submitted his own court documents this week challenging the panel report conclusions, national broadcaster SABC reported on Tuesday. He has called it having “grave flaws.”
Removing Ramaphosa through impeachment would need at least two-thirds of South Africa’s 400-member Parliament to support it, under the nation’s constitution. Although Ramaphosa’s ANC lost its clear majority in 2024, it retains sufficient numbers to prevent an impeachment.
The 73-year-old Ramaphosa is in his final presidential term, scheduled to conclude in 2029.
