South African President Cyril Ramaphosa said he will not resign despite mounting pressure over a cash-in-sofa scandal and a pending parliamentary impeachment probe.

The refusal to step down marks a critical escalation in the political crisis surrounding the president. The outcome of the impeachment process could determine the stability of the national government and the tenure of its leadership.

Ramaphosa issued the statement on May 11, 2024 [1]. The controversy stems from the 2022 “Farmgate” scandal, which occurred at the president's private farm in KwaZulu-Natal [2]. In that incident, thieves stole more than 500,000 in foreign currency [3] that had been hidden inside a sofa on the property.

The legal and political pressure intensified after South Africa's top court revived the impeachment process on May 8, 2024 [4]. This judicial decision paved the way for the legislature to examine whether the president's actions constituted a violation of the law, or the constitution.

“I am not resigning,” Ramaphosa said [5].

In response to the court's ruling, a parliamentary spokesperson said Parliament will establish an impeachment committee to probe the allegations against the president [6]. While some reports suggest the committee has already opened, others indicate it is in the process of being established.

The “Farmgate” incident has become a focal point for critics who argue the president failed to properly disclose the funds, or report the theft in a timely manner. This has led to widespread calls for his resignation from political opponents and civil society groups.

““I am not resigning.””

The refusal of President Ramaphosa to resign shifts the resolution of the 'Farmgate' scandal entirely into the hands of the South African Parliament. By challenging the calls for his resignation, the president is betting on the impeachment committee's inability to produce a legal consensus for removal, potentially prolonging a period of political volatility and testing the strength of the country's judicial and legislative checks and balances.