President Cyril Ramaphosa’s work has come into question after a report claims millions of dollars in cash were found on his private game farm.
South African President Cyril Ramaphosa, embroiled in scandal and under threat of impeachment, has no intention of resigning and will fight both politically and judicially, his spokesman said.
Ramaphosa’s position came into question after an independent parliamentary panel said in a report that he may have breached the oath of office regarding the millions of dollars in cash found on his private game farm.
“President Ramaphosa is not going to resign based on a faulty report, [nor] he is stepping aside,” Ramaphosa spokesman Vincent Magwenya told reporters via text message.
“The President has taken very seriously the unequivocal message coming from the branches of the government party that have nominated him for a second term as head of the ANC.”
Ramaphosa has denied any wrongdoing and has not been charged with any wrongdoing.
On Wednesday, a three-member parliamentary panel, including a former president of the country’s highest court, said Ramaphosa “may have committed” acts contrary to the law and the constitution, paving the way for impeachment.
The president has not been charged with anything at this time and the police investigation is ongoing.
But the scandal, detailing more than half a million dollars in cash hidden under sofa cushions, comes at the worst possible time for the president.
On December 16, Ramaphosa participates in the elections for the presidency of the ANC, a position that also holds the key to remaining as national president.
‘Continue to be of service’
“The president has taken very seriously the unequivocal message coming from the branches of the ruling party that have nominated him to seize a second term of ANC leadership,” Magwenya said, using the acronym for the African National Congress, South. Social Democratic Political Party of Africa.
Ramaphosa understood that “that is to say that he must continue with the reforms of both the State and the economy,” he added.
“The president humbly and with great care and commitment accepted that call to continue to serve his organization, the ANC, and the people of South Africa.”
ANC leaders met briefly in Johannesburg on Friday, before telling reporters they would take a closer look at the facts of the case against the president.
ANC members will meet at a special meeting of the National Working Committee on Sunday, followed by a meeting of the National Executive Committee on Monday, where they will decide the future course of action for Ramaphosa, the ANC said.
The president would challenge the report and its findings, the spokesperson said.
“It is in the long-term interest…of our constitutional democracy, well beyond the Ramaphosa presidency, that such a clearly flawed report should be called into question, especially when used as a benchmark for removing a sitting head of state,” said. he said he.
Even the head of the South African Anglican Church warned that if Ramaphosa resigns, the country would be in danger of falling “into anarchy.”
