South African Opposition Parties Protest Against President Ramaphosa Amid "Farmgate" Scandal
Thousands protested in Johannesburg against President Cyril Ramaphosa as the Constitutional Court prepares to hear the "Farmgate" scandal case. Led by EFF's Julius Malema, protesters demand accountability for alleged corruption linked to the theft of foreign currency. The ANC's rejection of impeachment proceedings ignited further outrage among opposition parties.
HASSAN BENYOUB 
Thousands of protesters from opposition parties, the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) and the African Transformation Movement (ATM), took to the streets of Johannesburg, South Africa's economic hub, on Tuesday, as the Constitutional Court prepares to hear a case related to the "Farmgate" scandal, which has embroiled President Cyril Ramaphosa.
The Protest
The protest, which began at 8:30 am, started at the Mary Fitzgerald Square in Newtown and was expected to end at the Constitutional Court in Braamfontein. EFF leader Julius Malema addressed the crowd, stating that the opposition wanted to hold President Ramaphosa accountable for the alleged corruption surrounding the theft of foreign currency from his farm in Limpopo in 2020. Malema emphasized that the protest was a condemnation of Ramaphosa's corruption and the African National Congress (ANC) party's involvement in the scandal.
The Farmgate Scandal
The scandal erupted in 2022 when former State Security Agency (SSA) director-general Arthur Fraser laid a criminal complaint against President Ramaphosa, accusing him of failing to report the theft of $580,000 in foreign currency from his farm. This led to allegations of corruption and money laundering.
Parliamentary Investigation
A parliamentary committee, led by former Speaker of the National Assembly Mbambisi Nkakula, investigated the matter and found that Ramaphosa had committed serious breaches of the Constitution by failing to declare the foreign currency and violating the Prevention and Combating of Corrupt Activities Act. The committee recommended that Ramaphosa be held accountable and that the National Assembly initiate impeachment proceedings.
Controversial Vote
However, the ANC-dominated National Assembly rejected the committee's report in a contentious vote, sparking outrage from opposition parties. The EFF and ATM have accused the ANC of protecting Ramaphosa and undermining the rule of law.
Constitutional Court Hearing
The Constitutional Court is set to hear a legal challenge by opposition parties, arguing that the National Assembly erred in rejecting the committee's report and that Ramaphosa should be investigated for possible impeachment. The court's decision is expected to have significant implications for Ramaphosa's presidency and the future of the ANC.
Table: Timeline of the Farmgate Scandal
Date
Event
2020
Theft of foreign currency from President Ramaphosa's farm in Limpopo
2022
Former SSA director-general Arthur Fraser lays a criminal complaint against President Ramaphosa
2022
Parliamentary committee investigates the matter and finds Ramaphosa guilty of breaching the Constitution
2022
National Assembly rejects the committee's report in a contentious vote
2023
Constitutional Court hears a legal challenge by opposition parties
List: Key Players Involved in the Farmgate Scandal
- President Cyril Ramaphosa
- Arthur Fraser, former SSA director-general
- Julius Malema, EFF leader
- Mbambisi Nkakula, former Speaker of the National Assembly
- The African National Congress (ANC) party
