South African President Cyril Ramaphosa has been accused of misconduct over the source of the money and attempting to cover up the theft in 2020 using his personal security team so as to hide its existence. He has denied wrongdoing.
Ramaphosa said that the $580,000 in U.S. banknotes that was taken from the couch was from the legitimate sale of buffaloes at his ranch. He said the money was put under the cushions of a sofa in a spare bedroom in his private residence at the farm by a staff member who was concerned that other workers had access to a safe.
Ramaphosa was a wealthy businessman before becoming president and is known for his love of livestock and game breeding.
An independent panel appointed by Parliament investigated and issued a report saying there was initial evidence of serious misconduct by Ramaphosa, including that the theft wasn’t properly reported, the source of the money was unclear and the amount might have been much more than Ramaphosa claimed.
Ramaphosa also allegedly drew on his contacts with the then president of neighboring Namibia to help discreetly track down a suspect in the theft who had fled there, according to the report. It recommended a full investigation.
However, two opposition parties filed a case at South Africa’s top Constitutional Court, arguing that the evidence of the panel report should have triggered an impeachment committee to be formed to fully investigate if Ramaphosa was guilty of misconduct and should face an impeachment vote.
The court ruled this month in favor of the opposition parties, saying the 2022 vote by Parliament didn’t follow procedure and should be set aside, reviving the scandal and the possibility of impeachment.
Parliament has said that it will form an impeachment committee to fully investigate.
Impeaching Ramaphosa would require at least two-thirds of South Africa’s 400-member Parliament to vote for it, according to the country’s constitution. While Ramaphosa’s ANC lost its outright majority in 2024, it still has the numbers to block an impeachment.
The 73-year-old Ramaphosa is serving his final term as president, which is due to end in 2029.
