Embattled South African President Cyril Ramaphosa has reportedly defused an impeachment proceeding against him following National Congress (ANC) parliamentary caucus.
The vote came after an independent panel independent panel found there is initial evidence that he could have violated his oath of office, as per David McKenzie.
According to the panel investigation, “the findings relate to an ongoing scandal linked to the theft of more than $500,000 in cash from his private game farm in 2020. The cash was stuffed inside a leather sofa according to the panel investigation.”
Led by a former chief justice, the panel established “that the crime was not reported to the police and that there was a ‘deliberate decision to keep the investigation secret.”
Weighing-in on the matter, Economic Freedom Fighters leader Julius Malema said: “You are so desperate to avoid any type of investigation into the crimes that have occurred in and in relation to the Phala Phala farm that you have decided to spit in the face of the freedoms and institutions so many people fought and died for.”
Also Read: Cash and Cushions: The Scandal Engulfing S.Africa’s Ramaphosa
“The vote was preceded by a spirited debate where opposition party leaders lambasted both the president for not providing a fuller explanation for the cash and the ANC caucus for backing him,” McKenzie reports.
Opposition leader John Steenhuisen of Democratic Alliance said: “As long as you have the numbers in parliament, you can make any scandal go away and if that is how you intend to vote today, in one unified shield against accountability and oversight, just like you did in the Zuma days then shame on you.”
Ramaphosa, who has denied the allegations saying the money was from the sale of wildlife at his Phala Phala farm, is expected to contest an ANC elective conference later this week, the Kenya Times understands.
