SOUTH AFRICA’S highest court has paved the way for impeachment proceedings against President Cyril Ramaphosa after setting aside a vote to reject a report that found evidence of the president’s wrongdoing.

Mr Ramaphosa survived a motion to face impeachment proceedings in 2022, when politicians from his African National Congress party voted to reject a scathing report that recommended a full investigation into the theft of about $580,000 (£426,000) that was found stashed in a couch at his Phala Phala game farm.

The constitutional court ruling means the report must now be referred to an impeachment committee for a full investigation, which may decide to vote on impeaching Mr Ramaphosa.

“In the event that the panel [of inquiry] concludes that sufficient evidence exists, the matter must be referred to the impeachment committee,” said Chief Justice Mandisa Maya.

Julius Malema, the leader of the opposition Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF), has called for Mr Ramaphosa to immediately resign and for impeachment proceedings against him to begin.

Mr Ramaphosa has denied any wrongdoing, claiming that the cash was proceeds from the sale of buffalo at his farm.

Mr Ramaphosa’s spokesman Vincent Magwenya said today that the president had been consistent in providing his full assistance to the various inquiries into this matter, and would continue to do so.

“President Ramaphosa maintains that no person is above the law and that any allegations should be subjected to due process without fear, favour or prejudice,” Mr Magwenya said.

Two previous probes by the reserve bank and a public watchdog cleared Mr Ramaphosa of wrongdoing.