South African President Cyril Ramaphosa will not face criminal charges in connection to a hidden cash scandal involving $580,000 stashed in a couch at his ranch, prosecutors announced on Thursday. The case, which emerged over two years ago, had subjected Ramaphosa to intense scrutiny and investigation by a special police unit.
The scandal began in June 2022 when former national security chief Arthur Fraser accused Ramaphosa of various crimes, including kidnapping and bribery, linked to the theft of the cash from the president’s game farm. Fraser alleged that Ramaphosa concealed the money in furniture to evade foreign currency laws and attempted to cover up the theft by having his security team track down and bribe the thieves to remain silent.
The incident reportedly took place in early 2020 at Ramaphosa’s Phala Phala game farm in northern South Africa. Fraser’s allegations forced Ramaphosa to acknowledge the theft, which occurred just before a critical party leadership vote. Despite the turmoil, Ramaphosa survived the scandal and was reelected as South Africa’s leader in June.
Ramaphosa, 71, faced further accusations of money laundering, tax evasion, and breaching foreign currency laws. He denied any wrongdoing, claiming the cash was from the legitimate sale of buffaloes. He reported the theft to the head of his police protection unit but did not clarify why the money was hidden in a couch.
Prosecutors concluded their investigation and decided not to press charges against Ramaphosa or his security team. They stated that their decision followed “a comprehensive investigation process.” This outcome allows Ramaphosa to put the controversy, often referred to as “farmgate,” behind him.
The scandal also sparked political drama, leading opposition parties to push for Ramaphosa’s impeachment in Parliament. However, his African National Congress (ANC) party used its majority to block the motion in late 2022. The South African Reserve Bank and an independent watchdog also cleared Ramaphosa of any wrongdoing.
In connection to the theft, two men and a woman, one reportedly a worker at Ramaphosa’s farm, were arrested last year and charged with breaking and entering, as well as theft.
Many viewed the allegations against Ramaphosa as politically motivated. Fraser, who filed the complaint, is a close ally of former President Jacob Zuma. Zuma, who resigned in 2018 amid corruption allegations, was succeeded by Ramaphosa, his former vice president. The two have since become political adversaries.