Cyril Ramaphosa came to power in 2018 after capitalizing on the anti-corruption plank, as Jacob Zuma’s 9 year tenure was marked with rampant corruption, illegal graft and scandals with nepotism in succession. Since then Ramaphosa has been struggling to push through various reforms, but all of a sudden an old scam ‘Farmgate’ has surfaced that has put the South African President on the dock. Will he be able to survive amidst the scandal which is riveted around his business in the year 2020?
Cyril Ramaphosa was anointed as the President of South Africa’s in 2018 who led the ruling African National Congress party to a general election victory a year later. His populist predecessor Jacob Zuma’s 9 year turbulent rule was marked with rampant corruption, illegal gratification, nepotism and a series of scandals. Ramaphosa came to power making the most of his predecessor’s shady administration. His campaign was focused on an anti-corruption platform. An efficient, truthful, citizen-centric government – the people of South Africa were looking for and Ramaphosa was considered to be the right person who will hit the nail on the coffin. But since then the people’s President has struggled to push through the much-needed reforms and has faced severe resistance from Zuma loyalists.
Background of Ramaphosa
Ramaphosa was a labour activist and once tipped for the Presidency of a free South Africa by Nelson Mandela. He took a break from active politics and earned a fortune as a businessman, at times he took advantage of his political cloud to build his empire. He made enormous wealth in breeding and raising valuable animals, including cattle. These commercial and personal interests have now endangered his political career with a premature end looks imminent. Why?
An incident which remained unnoticed in 2020 has now surfaced creating a turmoil in the political circles of South Africa
There was a pilferage in Ramaphosa’s game ranch at Phala Phala, in Limpopo province and an estimated $500,000 and $5m was stolen in early 2020. This cash does not appear to have been declared according to strict local money laundering regulations or for tax. Nor was its theft reported to police. Instead, a presidential bodyguard was tasked with tracking down the money and then possibly paying off the culprits. Local media have named the scandal ‘Farmgate’.
What is the immediate implication now?
An independent panel appointed by the Parliament has reported to have found evidence of wrongdoing, evasion of tax that could constitute gross misconduct, an infringement of the constitution and a breach of the Presidential oath. None of this is ideal for the President elected to clear up corruption and restore integrity in public life. But the real problem is that Parliament could go on to impeach Ramaphosa, who says he is innocent.
So now what?
The Parliament of South Africa will pursue on impeachment of the President while taking pros and cons into consideration – whether they can go ahead. In the case of an impeachment motion a two-thirds majority would be required, and that entails about half of the ANC’s members would have to vote with the opposition parties. This is unlikely, because Ramaphosa has long been seen as the party’s best candidate for general elections expected in 2024. Besides if the impeachment goes ahead, will be a long process.
Ramaphosa may have to face an attempt by his parliamentarians to replace him as ANC leader at a conference next month. He is considered very likely to see off any such challenge, but has been weakened. If he loses the party post, it would be hard for him to hold on to the Presidency for very long.
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Is it going to be a rough sailing for South Africa?
The South African currency ‘Rand” nosedived once the news of the potential impeachment outreached the world, reflecting international markets’ fears for the country’s political stability. South Africa suffers from rolling nationwide power cuts that have crippled businesses, and from soaring unemployment, anaemic growth, a failing education system and inadequate healthcare. It has been battered by the Covid-19 pandemic and the current global economic crisis, and a change of leader forced by bitter internal competition between factions would be the last thing the country needs.
South Africans are waiting, many in deep consternation, if their President Cyril Ramaphosa is about to resign in the wake of a murky and highly politicised scandal involving cattle, a sofa, and the theft of hundreds of thousands (and possibly millions) of dollars.
Much now hangs on a meeting of the leaders of the country’s governing party, the African National Congress (ANC), which is due to convene in the coming days.
Ramaphosa’s most ardent supporters – consider this crisis as a creation of the opposition and is nothing but a fight against a decent man, desperately trying to clean up a corruption-ridden country.
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