South Africa's Ramaphosa to Legally Challenge Report Clearing Path for Impeachment Vote

South African President Cyril Ramaphosa said he will legally challenge a report that opens the door for parliament to consider impeachment proceedings against him over the theft of large sums of cash from his private farm.

A Constitutional Court ruling last week determined that parliament acted unconstitutionally when it voted in 2022 against setting up an impeachment inquiry into Ramaphosa related to the Phala Phala report.

"I remain here and am not resigning," Ramaphosa said on Monday, putting an end to days of speculation about whether he would step down.

The dispute centers on the Phala Phala scandal, in which thousands of dollars were stolen from furniture at his game farm.

An independent panel concluded there was prima facie evidence that Ramaphosa may have committed serious misconduct in his handling of the incident.

Ramaphosa has denied any wrongdoing. He said the money came from the legitimate sale of buffalo from his farming business.

South Africa's Constitutional Court ruled last week that the issue warrants further review through a parliamentary impeachment process, rather than dismissal.

Ramaphosa said he will ask the courts to review and set aside the report, which he claims relied on hearsay evidence.

If the process moves forward, the report would underpin opposition attempts to oust him from office.