South Africa’s Constitutional Court has ruled that parliament acted unconstitutionally in 2022 when it blocked moves to begin impeachment proceedings against President Cyril Ramaphosa.
The decision followed a challenge brought by opposition parties after parliament voted down the process while the African National Congress still held a majority. That majority was lost in the last election.
The case stems from a 2022 theft at Ramaphosa’s rural home, where burglars took more than $500,000 in cash hidden in a sofa. A panel of legal experts had said at the time that the president may have a case to answer over how the money was obtained and why it wasn’t declared. Ramaphosa denied any wrongdoing.
The court’s ruling means parliament’s decision to halt the process was unlawful, and could pave the way for a fresh impeachment vote.
