JOHANNESBURG, May 11 (Xinhua) -- South Africa's National Assembly will reopen impeachment-related proceedings against President Cyril Ramaphosa following a Constitutional Court ruling, local media reported Monday.
The Constitutional Court on Friday ruled that the country's parliament acted unconstitutionally when it rejected an independent panel report on the Phala Phala matter involving Ramaphosa, reopening the possibility of impeachment proceedings against the head of state.
Citing a statement from National Assembly Speaker Thoko Didiza, the South African Government News Agency reported that the parliament will comply with the court's decision and restart the Section 89 process related to the independent panel report into the Phala Phala farm matter.
The matter relates to the alleged theft of about 580,000 U.S. dollars from Ramaphosa's private game farm in Limpopo Province in 2020, which later sparked public controversy over whether the funds were properly declared and reported to authorities.
Didiza said that she would determine the program, timelines and institutional support necessary to ensure the impeachment committee completes its work effectively, fairly and within the framework of the Constitution and National Assembly rules.
Details regarding the committee's composition and operational arrangements are expected to be announced through official channels in due course.
The independent panel, chaired by former Constitutional Court judge Sandile Ngcobo, found prima facie evidence suggesting possible constitutional and legal violations by the president in relation to the Phala Phala matter.
In response, Ramaphosa said Monday that he accepted and respected the Constitutional Court's ruling, reaffirming his firm commitment to the Constitution, the independence of the judiciary and the rule of law.
In his address to the nation on Monday night, Ramaphosa insisted that he did not engage in wrongdoing. "Since a criminal complaint was laid against me in June 2022, I have consistently maintained that I have not stolen public money, committed any crime, nor violated my oath of office," he said.
Ramaphosa said that from the beginning, he had committed to cooperating with all competent institutions, and such cooperation has continued through "all investigations and enquiries into the matter," and will be sustained going forward.
Turning to the findings of the independent panel submitted in December 2022, Ramaphosa reiterated his disagreement with its conclusions and reasoning. He said that they were based on hearsay and that "no evidence, let alone sufficient evidence," had been produced to support claims of constitutional or legal violations or serious misconduct.
In his address, Ramaphosa reiterated that he will not resign, saying "I fully intend to continue serving the people of South Africa and to advance their interests." ■