politics
South African Court Orders Revival of Impeachment Inquiry Against President
South Africa's Constitutional Court ruled that parliament acted unlawfully when it blocked impeachment proceedings against the president in 2022. The decision revives scrutiny over the 2020 theft of about $580,000 in foreign currency from the president's Phala Phala game farm. Opposition parties have called for the president's resignation while the ruling coalition weighs its next steps.
May 8, 5:05 PM·3m read6 sources
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South Africa's Constitutional Court ruled that parliament acted unlawfully by blocking an impeachment inquiry into the president in December 2022. The court ordered lawmakers to restart the process, referring an independent panel's findings to an impeachment committee for full review.
The decision marks the first time in post-apartheid history that a sitting president will face a formal inquiry of this scale. The ruling stems from the 2020 theft of approximately $580,000 in foreign currency hidden in furniture at the president's Phala Phala game farm in Limpopo province.
The money was never reported to police through standard channels, leading to allegations of a cover-up, money laundering and misuse of security personnel to recover it. Three people are currently on trial for the theft. An independent panel led by a retired judge later found evidence that the president may have violated the constitution.
Parliament, then controlled by a majority of the African National Congress, voted 214 to 148 to halt further proceedings. The Constitutional Court invalidated that vote, struck down the underlying parliamentary rule on impeachment procedures and replaced it with one that limits lawmakers' discretion to stop such inquiries.
Opposition parties that brought the case welcomed the judgment. One leader called for the president to resign immediately to focus on the proceedings, citing serious implications for his ability to govern. The party has demanded that the speaker of parliament provide clear timelines within 48 hours for forming the impeachment committee.
The president's office said it respects the ruling and that no person is above the law. Officials added that the president has consistently provided full assistance to all inquiries and maintains that the cash came from the legitimate sale of cattle.
