Can South Africa's president Ramaphosa avoid impeachment?

"“I therefore respectfully want to make it clear that I will not resign,” Ramaphosa said in a televised address. Ramaphosa's move came after Parliament signaled it will restart the impeachment process and as public indignation over the so-called Phala Phala scandal appeared to intensify. Many South Africans have hailed the May 8 Constitutional Court judgment that overturned the “No” vote by lawmakers in 2022 on whether an impeachment process should start. Others have called on Ramaphosa to step down."

"Three days after the Constitutional Court judgment, the Parliament announced that it would begin setting up a new Section 89 impeachment committee. Section 89 is the part of South Africa's Constitution that sets out how a president can be removed from office. Commenting on the Constitutional Court ruling, Thelela Ngcetane-Vika, a governance expert at Wits University, told DW that Ramaphosa is guilty only in the court of public opinion. “... I think we must emphasize this: It is not a return on a verdict of guilty or innocence against the president.”"

"In his televised address, Ramaphosa signaled that he would seek a judicial review of the 2022 Section 89 panel report that found prima facie [Latin for “at first glance”] evidence that he may have violated the constitution or committed misconduct. A large sum of cash was allegedly hidden in furniture and stolen on this wildlife farm owned by Ramaphosa in 2020Image: AP Photo/picture alliance The African Transformation Movement (ATM) the relatively small Christian party that had taken the matter to the Constitutional Court wi"

Ramaphosa faced renewed scrutiny over alleged wrongdoing, with an impeachment process being restarted by Parliament. He announced in a televised address that he would not resign and would challenge the impeachment proceedings against him. Parliament signaled it would restart the process after a May 8 Constitutional Court judgment overturned the 2022 lawmakers’ “No” vote on whether impeachment should begin. Public calls for him to step down intensified alongside anger over the Phala Phala scandal. A new Section 89 impeachment committee was to be set up. A governance expert said the situation reflects public opinion rather than a court verdict of guilt or innocence. Ramaphosa indicated he would seek judicial review of the 2022 Section 89 panel report that found prima facie evidence of constitutional violations or misconduct.

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