South African President Cyril Ramaphosa does not lack confidence in his own caucus to shield him from having to face an impeachment inquiry, presidential spokesperson Vincent Magwenya has said.
An independent panel appointed by the Speaker of Parliament Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula found preliminary evidence that Ramaphosa violated his oath of office.
In June, it emerged that an estimated US$4 million in cash was stolen from Ramaphosa’s Phala Phala game farm in 2020.
The theft raised questions about how Ramaphosa acquired the money and whether he declared it.
Multiple media reports in South Africa on Thursday suggested that Ramaphosa was getting ready to resign in the wake of the scathing independent judicial report but Magwenya has downplayed the claims.
He said Ramaphosa was consulting widely on his options, and not for personal benefit, but in the best interest of the country. Said Magwenya:
So it’s not about whether he’s panicking. He’s not panicking that I can assure you. It’s not about that he lacks confidence in his own caucus.
But it’s about appropriately processing reports, and getting the benefit of different views – views that are being expressed in the interest of the country.
The recommendations of the Section 89 panel report on the Phala Phala burglary are not binding on the National Assembly.
This means the ANC has the numbers to stop the impeachment process from going any further, reported Eyewitness News.
ANC Chief Whip Pemmy Majodina said the caucus will thoroughly study the report before adopting a position. Said Majodina:
It’s not about defending a person. It’s about being honest to the report, honest to the country, and respecting the Constitution. That’s what we are going to do.
The report will be debated in Parliament and voted on next Tuesday.