On Air Now

Only Jams

8:00pm - 10:00pm

Now Playing

Lovejoy

Call Me What You Like

'I will not resign': South Africa's president Cyril Ramaphosa rejects calls to quit

South Africa's President Cyril Ramaphosa has rejected calls to quit despite an impeachment committee being set up to reinvestigate allegations that he hid the theft of cash stashed in his sofas.

"I will not resign," he insisted in a TV address on Monday, adding that "the complaints against me are based on hearsay allegations".

Mr Ramaphosa, 73, said he would legally challenge a parliamentary report which found credible evidence of wrongdoing on his part.

Explainer: What is Cyril Ramaphosa accused of?

He spoke just hours after South Africa's parliament said it would establish the impeachment committee in compliance with a decision of the highest court last week.

It ruled that a 2022 parliament vote, blocking impeachment proceedings over the scandal, was unconstitutional.

He has faced calls to step down while in the middle of his second term as president, which has been plagued by corruption allegations.

In 2022, he was accused of stashing $4m (£2.93m) in foreign ​currency in sofas at his private game farm and then covering up its theft - a scandal nicknamed 'Farmgate'.

The president acknowledged the money had been stolen, but disputed the amount and said it was $580,000 (£472,000) which had come from the sale of buffalo.

An independent report said there was "legitimate doubt" over the source of the money, and some evidence that the amount was more than what Mr Ramaphosa claimed.

It found evidence of wrongdoing by the president in allegedly not properly reporting the theft to police and trying to keep an investigation to recover the money secret.

Read more from Sky News:
Widow sues ChatGPT maker
Passengers suffered 'mental breakdowns'
Politician jailed for firing rifle at rally

He was able to use his parliamentary majority to mobilise his party, the African National Congress (ANC), and prevent an impeachment process.

But that was overturned on Friday after a campaign by the far-left Economic Freedom ⁠Fighters (EFF) party.

On Monday, Mr Ramaphosa challenged any allegations of wrongdoing.

"No evidence, let alone sufficient evidence, has been presented to prove that I committed any violation, let alone a serious violation of the constitution or the law or serious misconduct as set out in the constitution," he added in his national address.

Mr Ramaphosa's ANC party lost its parliamentary majority in a landmark 2024 election and is now the largest in a coalition government of 10 parties.

He still could survive an impeachment vote if his party's politicians back him.

Sky News

(c) Sky News 2026: 'I will not resign': South Africa's president Cyril Ramaphosa rejects calls to quit

Donate to Roch Valley Radio

 

Do you have a story for us? Want to tell us about something happening in our Borough?

Let us know by emailing newsdesk@rochvalleyradio.com

All contact will be treated in confidence.

More from World

Donate to Roch Valley Radio

 

Recently Played

Newsletter

Your subscription could not be saved. Please try again.
Your subscription has been successful.

Subscribe to our newsletter and stay updated.

   

Coming up next On Air

  • Only Jams

    8:00pm - 10:00pm

    with Chris Bucko playing Indie, Rock, Metal and Alternative with Guests.

  • George Buswell

    10:00pm - Midnight

  • After Hours

    Midnight - 2:00am

    For the night owls, night workers and everyone still going while the rest of the town sleeps. Music, chat and company after dark.

  • Wide Awake Club

    2:00am - 5:00am

    For those who find themselves awake at 3am more often than they’d like. Calm music, understanding voices and quiet company.

  • Up Before the Alarm

    5:00am - 7:00am

    for early starters, commuters and anyone already on their second brew. Livelier music and new voices warming things up before breakfast.

  • Wednesday Breakfast

    7:00am - 10:00am

    getting you out of bed and to work and school with great music and headlines.