South African President Cleared in $580K Cash-in-Couch Scandal After 2-Year Investigation

After a two-year investigation, South African President Cyril Ramaphosa has been cleared of wrongdoing in the $580,000 cash-in-couch scandal, bringing an end to the high-profile case.

Prosecutors announced on Thursday that South African President Cyril Ramaphosa will not face criminal charges related to a cash concealment scandal that came to light over two years ago and prompted an investigation by a special police unit.

In June 2022, a former national security leader filed a criminal complaint against Ramaphosa, alleging involvement in kidnapping, bribery, and other offenses connected to the theft of $580,000 in U.S. banknotes hidden within a couch at the president’s ranch.

Arthur Fraser, the former security chief, claimed that Ramaphosa had concealed cash within furniture at his ranch to circumvent South Africa’s foreign currency laws when it was stolen.

According to Fraser’s affidavit filed with the police, rather than reporting the theft, Ramaphosa sought to conceal it by instructing his presidential protection unit members to locate and detain the thieves. They were then allegedly bribed into silence regarding the existence of the money.

The theft occurred at Ramaphosa’s game farm in the rural northern region of South Africa in early 2020 and remained undisclosed until Fraser made allegations. This situation compelled Ramaphosa to acknowledge that the theft had happened, plunging his presidency into chaos just before a critical party leadership election.

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He weathered the scandal and was reelected as South Africa’s leader this June, despite an ongoing criminal investigation. At 71, Ramaphosa faced accusations of money laundering, tax evasion, and violating foreign currency regulations concerning the cash involved.

He claimed innocence and stated that the money originated from legally selling buffaloes at his Phala Phala game farm.

Ramaphosa mentioned that he informed the head of his police protection unit about the theft, but did not clarify why the money was concealed in the couch.

Prosecutors stated that, following “a comprehensive investigation process,” they decided not to file charges against Ramaphosa or any member of his security detail.

The scandal, occasionally dubbed “farmgate” in South Africa, prompted opposition parties to introduce an impeachment motion against Ramaphosa in Parliament. In late 2022, his party, the African National Congress (ANC), utilized its majority to prevent the motion from passing. Additionally, both the reserve bank and an independent watchdog exonerated Ramaphosa of any wrongdoing.

Last year, three individuals—two men and a woman, one of whom was reportedly employed at Ramaphosa’s farm—were arrested and charged with breaking and entering as well as theft.

Some viewed the allegations against Ramaphosa as politically motivated, given that Fraser is a close ally of former South African President Jacob Zuma. Zuma resigned in 2018 amidst corruption charges and was succeeded by his then-vice president, Ramaphosa. Since then, their relationship has soured into intense political rivalry.