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Bloomberg
South African lawmakers will decide whether to institute impeachment proceedings against President Cyril Ramaphosa, three days before the governing party meets to consider re-electing him as its leader.
Ramaphosa’s political future was cast into doubt on November 30, when an independent panel found he may have violated the constitution because of the way he handled the theft of at least $580,000 that had been stashed in a sofa at his game farm. The 400-member National Assembly will vote on whether to adopt the findings.
If it does, legislators will establish a panel to look into whether there are grounds for his dismissal.
The African National Congress (ANC) has instructed its 230 legislators to quash the report, but some within the party oppose Ramaphosa and may vote alongside opposition parties — most of which have said they favor its adoption.
An open ballot will serve as a deterrent to those considering breaking ranks. While the report requires a simple majority to pass, impeaching the president would require the backing two-thirds of lawmakers.
Ramaphosa is widely expected to win a second term
as ANC leader at its December 16-20 national conference after receiving the most nominations for the post.