South African President Cyril Ramaphosa said on Monday in an address to the nation that he was not resigning, after the constitutional court last week revived impeachment proceedings against him over a scandal dubbed “Farmgate” by local media.
Ramaphosa said he would legally challenge an independent panel’s report that found preliminary evidence he had committed misconduct over the incident, in which thieves stole bundles of foreign cash stuffed in a sofa on his ranch in 2020.
Ramaphosa, head of state since 2018, has denied wrongdoing.
“To resign now would be to give in to those who would reverse our rebuilding of society. I fully intend to continue serving the people of South Africa.”
Ramaphosa said that he is mindful of the need for certainty and stability, especially during trying times such as those being experienced at the moment.
He maintained that he has stolen no public money, committed no crimes, and has cooperated with all investigations.
The president added that he has always maintained his innocence in the matter and that he disagrees with the panel’s findings.
While the president had moved to challenge the report and take it on review, that action was stopped when parliament voted to set it aside.
Now that the Constitutional Court has revived the report and brought it back into play, the president’s legal team has advised him to relaunch the process to have the report reviewed.
