South Africa’s parliament postpones vote to launch president’s impeachment

By Hassan Isilow

JOHANNESBURG (AA) - South Africa’s National Assembly has postponed Tuesday’s debate and vote on whether to launch impeachment proceedings against President Cyril Ramaphosa amid an alleged corruption scandal.

The vote will now be held on Dec. 13, according to a statement from the National Assembly.

An independent panel led by former Chief Justice Sandile Ngcobo last week found Ramaphosa guilty of not reporting a $4 million theft at his private farm in Limpopo province in 2020.

The panel was set up in September after former intelligence chief Arthur Fraser filed a criminal complaint against the South African president in June, accusing him of money laundering and covering up the theft.

Its findings were handed over to National Assembly Speaker Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula last week.

Following the release of the report, opposition members of parliament and some within Ramaphosa’s governing African National Congress (ANC) party have been calling for his resignation over the scandal.

- Ramaphosa approaches court for review

On Monday, the South African president approached the constitutional court to set aside the report describing it as “unlawful.”

“It’s declared that any steps taken by the National Assembly pursuant to the report are equally unlawful and invalid,” a copy of the court application reads.

The president has denied any wrongdoing.

"I have never stolen taxpayers' money. I want to reaffirm that I was not involved in any criminal conduct," said Ramaphosa, who is seeking reelection as ANC leader later this month.

The highest decision-making body of the ANC on Monday decided to back the president saying they will vote against the parliamentary motion.

The ANC has the majority in parliament with 230 MPs out of the 400-seat parliament. For an impeachment motion to succeed it requires a two-thirds majority.