After an independent panel determined that Cyril Ramaphosa may have broken the law against corruption while looking into a robbery at his farm, he may be subject to impeachment.
In the “Farmgate” incident, Ramaphosa is accused of covering up a $4 million theft from his Phala Phala farm in the country’s northeast in 2020. Allegations include cooperating with Namibian law enforcement to capture, torture, and bribe the defendants. About $580,000 of this was discovered under couch cushions.
Ramaphosa vehemently disputes the accusations and has not been put on trial for any crimes. He insists that the money came from the selling of the buffalo. He admits that the crime happened, but he maintains that less money was taken than was claimed, and he rejects any involvement in a cover-up.
In order to give the panel’s recommendations some thought, Ramaphosa postponed his scheduled appearance before parliament on Thursday. His spokesperson, Vincent Magwenya, also canceled a scheduled media briefing.
In a statement released on Wednesday, Ramaphosa stated, “I have endeavored, during my time as President, not merely to follow by my oath, but to set an example of respect for the Constitution, for its institutions, for due process, and for the law.” “I unequivocally deny that I have broken this oath in any manner, and I also deny that I am responsible for any of the claims made against me,” the person said.
Following a complaint made to police in June by Arthur Fraser, a former head of the nation’s State Security Agency and close ally of former President Jacob Zuma, the panel was established by the speaker of parliament in accordance with Section 89 of the constitution to consider whether the president should be put up for impeachment.
In its final report released on Wednesday, the committee concluded that the president has a case to answer for since it appears from the evidence that “there was a purposeful determination not to investigate the commission of the crimes perpetrated at Phala Phala openly.”
According to the panel’s assessment, “The President abused his position as Head of State to have the case probed and sought the Namibian President’s assistance to catch a suspect.” “There was more foreign cash hidden in the sofa than was shown on the receipt acknowledgment. As a result, the additional currency’s source is increased.
In a statement issued in response to Fraser’s complaint, Namibian President Hage Geingob vehemently rejected any wrongdoing and referred to the accusations as “slanderous” and politically driven.
Whether Ramaphosa, who was elected on an anti-corruption platform, may compete for a second term in government will be decided at a party conference being held by the ruling African National Congress (ANC) from December 16 to 20. The political unrest occurs as Ramaphosa works to push through long-overdue economic changes intended to strengthen the nation’s infrastructure, food and energy security, and job growth.
