Ramaphosa could face impeachment in South Africa over cash in sofa scandal

Key Points:

• South African President Cyril Ramaphosa faces renewed impeachment proceedings over the "Farmgate" scandal involving the theft of approximately $580,000 in cash stolen from a sofa at his game farm in 2020, with allegations of misconduct and cover-up.
• The money, reportedly from the legitimate sale of buffaloes, was hidden by a staff member concerned about security, but an independent parliamentary panel found evidence of serious misconduct, including unclear reporting and possible undisclosed amounts.
• Initial parliamentary efforts in 2022 blocked impeachment, but a recent Constitutional Court ruling found procedural errors in that decision, mandating the formation of an impeachment committee to fully investigate Ramaphosa.
• Ramaphosa denies wrongdoing, challenges the panel's findings as flawed, and refuses to resign; impeachment would require a two-thirds parliamentary majority, which his party, the ANC, can still block despite losing its outright majority.
• The 73-year-old president is in his final term, set to end in 2029, while the scandal continues to raise questions about his conduct and political future.