SOUTH African MPs today prepared to debate whether to initiate proceedings that could force out President Cyril Ramaphosa over allegations he concealed a huge cash theft at his farm.
Ramaphosa – championed as a graft-busting saviour after corruption-stained predecessor Jacob Zuma – is counting on support from the ruling African National Congress (ANC) party, which has been further divided by the scandal.
An extraordinary parliamentary session opening in Cape Town at 1200 GMT will discuss the findings of an independent panel which said Ramaphosa may be guilty of serious violations and misconduct.
Lawmakers are called to decide in an open vote, by simple majority, whether to launch an impeachment investigation against Ramaphosa – a lengthy probe that could lead to his removal from office.
The 70-year-old president seems likely to survive the day, although analysts predicted the debate could be long and bitter.
Last week, he secured the renewed backing of the ANC, which holds 230 of the National Assembly’s 400 seats, after mounting a legal bid to have the damning report annulled.
“We are going to use our numbers as ANC… because we cannot be dictated to by a panel that has not been objective,” Communications Minister Khumbudzo Ntshavheni told reporters before entering parliament.
“We are not going to be bullied by anyone,” she said.
