Court Halts Impeachment of South Africa's Ramaphosa

On Friday, a South African court ruled in favor of President Cyril Ramaphosa, pausing impeachment proceedings against him concerning a scandal involving $580,000 allegedly hidden in a sofa at his Phala Phala ranch. Ramaphosa requested the Western Cape High Court to halt the parliamentary impeachment committee's work until a review of a November 2022 report, which indicated he "may have committed" serious violations and misconduct.

He has denied any wrongdoing, asserting that the money, which was reported stolen in 2020, came from the sale of 20 buffaloes. The complaint was filed by a former spy chief who accused Ramaphosa of concealing a robbery of $4 million.

Following the court's decision, Ramaphosa reaffirmed his respect for judicial independence and stated he would cooperate with accountability processes. The court is set to hear his appeal against the 2022 report in September.

If impeachment proceedings proceed, they would mark the first for a sitting South African president.