By AFP and Reuters

This report was first published on July 24, 2026.

The legal battle stems from the 'Farmgate' scandal, which has dogged Ramaphosa since a large sum of foreign currency was reported stolen from his farm in 2020.

South African President Cyril Ramaphosa has won a court challenge temporarily halting a parliamentary impeachment process over misconduct allegations linked to the “Farmgate” scandal.

The Western Cape High Court issued an interim interdict barring the impeachment committee from conducting public hearings while Ramaphosa contests the legality of a 2022 report that determined he “may have committed” serious violations and misconduct.

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“Pending the determination by this court of the applicant’s review … respondents are interdicted from proceeding with a public impeachment hearing,” Judge Andre le Grange announced on Friday.

The 'Farmgate' scandal, involving half a million dollars stashed in a sofa at Ramaphosa’s ranch, nearly cost him the African National Congress (ANC) leadership in late 2022. Meanwhile, corruption allegations within the party contributed to the ANC losing its majority in the May 2024 election, the most closely contested vote in South Africa’s democracy.

Ramaphosa has always denied any wrongdoing and ruled out resigning over the incident since the allegedly undeclared stash of foreign currency came to light after it was reported stolen in 2020.

The president said the $580,000 that was hidden at his luxury Phala Phala farmhouse in the northern Limpopo province was proceeds from the sale of buffaloes. But the episode has been a major embarrassment, raising questions about why he had so much money stuffed in furniture.

The Friday ruling gives Ramaphosa a lift as he also waits for the result of another court case that challenges an independent panel’s conclusion that he may have a case to answer in the scandal.

Ramaphosa’s spokesperson Vincent Magwenya said the president respects the ruling.

“[He] reaffirms his respect of judicial independence and separation of powers enshrined in our Constitution,” Magwenya said in a statement. “The president will continue to cooperate with and abide by processes of accountability.”

Political analysts expect Ramaphosa to remain in power, even if the impeachment process does get off the ground and ultimately leads to a vote on whether he should be removed from office.

Ramaphosa still enjoys the backing of his ANC party, the country’s biggest, which leads a coalition government. The ANC holds about 40 percent of seats in the National Assembly. It is not clear how all the ANC’s coalition partners would vote in the impeachment process.

This interim interdict only delays the impeachment proceedings while the legality of the 2022 report is reviewed. The 'Farmgate' scandal has been a persistent political liability for Ramaphosa, nearly costing him the ANC presidency in 2022 and contributing to the party's loss of its parliamentary majority in the 2024 elections. Ramaphosa maintains his innocence, stating the money came from buffalo sales. The outcome of the separate court challenge regarding the independent panel's findings will be crucial for his political future.