Julius Malema call for Ramaphosa to resign over impeachment ruling

South African opposition leader Julius Malema don call for President Cyril Ramaphosa to resign after the Constitutional Court rule say parliament violate constitution by blocking moves to impeach am for 2022.

The judgement come after legal challenge by Malema’s Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) and others, and e fit result for fresh impeachment proceedings. Ramaphosa’s office say he respect the judgement.

For 2022, independent panel say Ramaphosa fit get case to answer after burglars steal $580,000 (£430,000) in cash, wey dem hide for sofa, from im rural home. The theft lead to allegations say he no account for where the cash come from. The president deny wrongdoing.

But impeachment proceedings dem block four years ago for parliamentary vote. At that time, Ramaphosa’s African National Congress (ANC) get majority for parliament, but since 2024 general election, ANC don dey govern for coalition.

Following the judgement, Ramaphosa’s office say he reaffirm im commitment to the Constitution, the independence of the Judiciary and the rule of law. The statement say the president don dey consistent for providing im full assistance to all enquiries into the matter.

President Ramaphosa maintain say no person dey above the law and any allegations should dey subjected to due process without fear, favour or prejudice. Speaking to reporters outside the court for Johannesburg earlier, Malema say Ramaphosa should resign and concentrate on this impeachment process because e get serious implications on am as individual.

You cannot serve the two – one go suffer, he explain, referring to being president and preparing for impeachment. The EFF take the case to the country’s highest court alongside the African Transformation Movement for 2024.

Malema say members of Ramaphosa’s ANC go impeach am because the evidence go dey before their eyes. Geordin Hill-Lewis, the leader of the Democratic Alliance, the second largest party for the governing coalition, say politicians must uphold the rule of law, and parliament’s impeachment committee must now do its work properly, rationally, fairly and constitutionally.

This saga – dem dub am Farmgate by local media – begin for 2020, after the $580,000 allegedly don dey stolen from Phala Phala, Ramaphosa’s farm for the northern Limpopo province. Two years later, independent panel find evidence say the president fit don violate im oath of office, but for debate wey focus on its conclusions, parliament vote 214 to 148 against setting up impeachment committee.

South Africa get strict rules on holding foreign currency, wey say e must dey deposited with authorised dealer such as bank within 30 days. At the time, Ramaphosa say the cash come from selling buffalo. Three people dey on trial for the alleged theft.