By Redson Kandozi
South African President Cyril Ramaphosa will not face criminal charges related to a cash scandal that surfaced over two years ago, according to a statement from prosecutors on Thursday. The scandal, which sparked a major investigation, involved allegations of bribery, kidnapping, and other offenses in connection with the theft of $580,000 in U.S. currency hidden in a couch at Ramaphosa’s ranch.
Photo Credit: Reuters
The accusations were initially brought forward in June 2022 by Arthur Fraser, a former national security chief. Fraser accused Ramaphosa of attempting to evade South Africa's foreign currency regulations by concealing the cash in furniture at his Phala Phala game farm. According to Fraser, when the money was stolen in early 2020, instead of reporting the theft to the authorities, Ramaphosa allegedly directed his presidential protection unit to track down the culprits, detain them, and bribe them to remain silent about the hidden cash.
This revelation sent shockwaves through the South African political landscape, particularly as Ramaphosa faced the accusations just before a crucial African National Congress (ANC) leadership contest. Despite the scandal, which came to be known as "farmgate," Ramaphosa was reelected as party leader in June 2024 and continued his tenure as president. Throughout the process, Ramaphosa denied any wrongdoing, maintaining that the money came from the legitimate sale of buffaloes on his farm, and he reported the theft to his security head.
The decision not to press charges against Ramaphosa or his security detail follows what prosecutors described as "a comprehensive investigation." In the aftermath of the scandal, Ramaphosa faced political attacks, including an impeachment motion led by opposition parties. However, the ANC majority in parliament blocked the motion in late 2022, and both the South African Reserve Bank and an independent watchdog cleared him of breaching financial laws.
While the accusations were viewed by some as politically motivated given Fraser’s close ties to former President Jacob Zuma, a known political rival of Ramaphosa, the outcome of the investigation marks a legal victory for the 71-year-old leader. Three individuals, including a former employee at Ramaphosa's farm, were arrested last year on charges of theft related to the incident.
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