The Democratic Alliance (DA), the main coalition partner of South Africa’s ruling African National Congress (ANC), called on Friday for a review of the decision by prosecutors not to charge President Cyril Ramaphosa over the “Farmgate” scandal, which nearly cost him his position two years ago.
The scandal surfaced in June 2022 when a former intelligence official reported to police that large sums of foreign currency had been stolen from Ramaphosa’s Phala Phala game farm in 2020. The official accused the president of money laundering, corruption, and covering up the theft. Ramaphosa, a wealthy businessman before entering politics, has consistently denied any wrongdoing.
The DA, which joined the ANC in a coalition after the ANC lost its majority in the May elections, criticised the lack of transparency in the decision not to prosecute anyone over the case.
“The Phala Phala scandal is far too significant to be dismissed without thorough scrutiny and a full explanation of the reasons behind this outcome,” the DA said in a statement.
In a separate statement released on Thursday, the Director of Public Prosecutions in Limpopo province said the decision not to pursue charges was based on a careful review of the available evidence. Prosecutors concluded there was no reasonable prospect of a successful prosecution.
Although the country’s anti-corruption watchdog cleared Ramaphosa last year of a potential conflict of interest related to the incident, the scandal had nearly derailed his presidency. Thieves had reportedly stolen large sums of foreign currency hidden in furniture at Ramaphosa’s farm. Ramaphosa acknowledged the break-in but claimed the stolen money was from the sale of game, and that the amount was lower than alleged.
In late 2022, a report suggested that Ramaphosa may have committed misconduct, putting his political future at risk. However, the ANC rallied behind him, preventing an impeachment process and ensuring his re-election as party leader for another five years.
The far-left opposition party, the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF), remains determined to hold Ramaphosa accountable and has approached the Constitutional Court in an effort to revive impeachment proceedings.
This week, three suspects accused of involvement in the Phala Phala break-in appeared in court, with their case postponed until next month.