Africa (Commonwealth Union) _ South African President Cyril Ramaphosa will not face criminal charges over a high-profile scandal involving a hidden stash of $580,000 in cash at his Phala Phala game farm, prosecutors announced. The investigation, which has spanned over two years, stemmed from accusations made in June 2022 by former national security chief Arthur Fraser, who alleged that Ramaphosa engaged in illegal activities related to the cash theft at his ranch.
Fraser accused Ramaphosa of kidnapping, bribery, and breaching South Africa’s foreign currency laws. Fraser asserted that the president concealed substantial amounts of U.S. dollars in a couch to evade disclosure, following a burglary in early 2020. Fraser alleged that rather than report the theft through official channels, Ramaphosa orchestrated a cover-up by directing his presidential security team to track down the suspects, kidnap them, and bribe them into silence.
The allegations, which came to light just before a pivotal leadership vote within the African National Congress (ANC), threw Ramaphosa’s presidency into crisis. Ramaphosa admitted the theft had occurred but denied any wrongdoing, maintaining that the cash came from the legitimate sale of buffaloes at his game farm. He claimed to have reported the theft to his head of security, but he never provided an explanation for the concealment of the money in the couch.
Despite facing accusations of money laundering, tax evasion, and violating foreign currency laws, Ramaphosa weathered the political storm and won reelection as South Africa’s president in June 2023. Opposition parties attempted to impeach him throughout the investigation, but the ANC, which holds a majority in Parliament, blocked the motion.
The scandal, referred to as “farmgate,” also prompted investigations by South Africa’s central bank and an independent watchdog, both of which cleared Ramaphosa of legal breaches. Two men and a woman, one of whom worked at the president’s farm, were arrested last year in connection with the burglary.
Many viewed the allegations as politically motivated, with Fraser being a known ally of former President Jacob Zuma, Ramaphosa’s political rival. Zuma, who resigned in 2018 amid his own corruption charges, has remained a central figure in South African politics, often clashing with Ramaphosa, who had served as his vice president before succeeding him.
Prosecutors concluded their investigation, stating that no charges would be brought against Ramaphosa or his security detail. Despite the controversy, Ramaphosa’s position as South Africa’s leader remains intact, although the “farmgate” affair continues to cast a shadow over his presidency.
