The inquiry appeared into whether or not the president ought to face impeachment for the alleged cover-up of theft of $4m in money at his sport farm.
A particular panel investigating whether or not South African President Cyril Ramaphosa ought to face impeachment for allegedly masking up against the law that occurred on his non-public farm, submitted its findings to parliament, two weeks earlier than he faces an important celebration election.
The three-person group, led by an ex-chief justice, handed its report back to Nationwide Meeting speaker Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula at a televised ceremony in Cape City on Wednesday
In June, it emerged that an estimated $4m in money was stolen from Ramaphosa’s sport farm in 2020, elevating questions on how the billionaire president, who took to energy on the promise of preventing corruption, acquired the cash and whether or not he declared it.
The panel was arrange in September and tasked with ascertaining whether or not there was ample proof to indicate that Ramaphosa dedicated a severe violation of the structure or the legislation or grave misconduct, Mapisa-Nqakula mentioned.
The report can be revealed inside 24 hours, the speaker mentioned. Legislators will then study the findings in a one-day sitting on December 6, the place it is going to undertake a decision, “by a easy majority vote, whether or not an extra motion by the Home is important or not,” she added.
Whereas Ramaphosa has confirmed {that a} theft occurred, he mentioned the money was from proceeds from the gross sales of sport. He has denied breaking the legislation or any laws referring to his workplace.
The alleged cover-up has tarnished the president’s repute and overshadowed his bid for re-election on the helm of the ruling African Nationwide Congress (ANC) celebration.
Subsequent month, an elective convention will determine if he will get to run for a second time period on the ANC ticket within the 2024 nationwide polls.
Earlier this month, Spokesperson to President Vincent Magwenya advised journalists that Ramaphosa, aged 70, would “gladly step apart” if he had been to be criminally charged.
Ramaphosa, nevertheless, stays the favorite to win on the Africa Nationwide Congress’ December 16-20 convention, the place he faces a problem from Zweli Mkhize, 66, an ex-health minister who resigned from the federal government final 12 months amid corruption allegations.
The probabilities of impeachment are slim given the ANC’s dominance of parliament, the place it holds 230 seats, or almost 60 p.c of the whole, and usually votes alongside celebration strains. Impeaching a president requires a two-thirds majority.
“Dragging the president earlier than an impeachment course of is a big determination, it can’t be finished on flimsy [grounds], it must be one thing tangible,” former Chief Justice and panel chairman Sandile Ngcobo mentioned on the handover of the suggestions on Wednesday.
The parliamentary inquiry is separate from a prison investigation that police are conducting, and which Ramaphosa has welcomed.