© Reuters. FILE PHOTO: South African President Cyril Ramaphosa speaks at the Economic Empowerment Summit for People with Disabilities in Johannesburg, South Africa, December 8, 2022. REUTERS/Sumaya Hisham
CAPE TOWN (Reuters) – South Africa’s parliament on Tuesday prepared to debate a report by a panel of experts that found preliminary evidence that President Cyril Ramaphosa may have committed misconduct over a warehouse. foreign currency is hidden at his private game farm.
Ramaphosa has denied wrongdoing in the scandal, dubbed “Farmgate” by the media. He challenged the report in court and was not charged with anything, but some opponents have called for him to step down.
Later Tuesday, lawmakers will vote on whether to adopt the panel report, which would trigger the impeachment process to begin.
However, the vote is not expected to pass, after the ruling African National Congress (ANC) party – which holds a majority of seats in the National Assembly – announced last week at a parliamentary caucus. to refute it.
The vote comes days before the ANC leadership contest that will decide whether Ramaphosa runs for a second term in the 2024 election.
Foreign currency hidden in furniture at Ramaphosa’s Phala Phala game farm was stolen in 2020 but only came to light in June. The theft has raised questions about how Ramaphosa, who came to power on a promise to fight corruption, got the money and whether he declared it.
Ramaphosa said the amount was much smaller than the millions of dollars reported to have been taken, and that it was proceeds from the sale of the game. He said he reported the theft when he heard about it, contrary to the allegations.
