Kate Bartlett

The scandal involves more than half a million dollars that was stolen from Rapoposa's farm in 2020.

The money had been hidden under the cushions in a sofa.

Ramaphosa, a keen cattle breeder, denied wrongdoing and said the $580,000 was the proceeds of a sale of prized buffaloes.

His political opponents accused him of a tax dodge or money laundering and called for his resignation.

But in 2022, Parliament voted against starting impeachment proceedings.

Now, the country's highest court has ruled that was a mistake and ordered that an impeachment committee be set up to investigate.

Ramaphosa's political future now hangs in the balance.

Kate Bartlett, NPR News, Johannesburg.

The scandal involves more than half a million dollars that was stolen from Ramaphosa's farm in 2020.

The money had been hidden under the cushions in a sofa.

Ramaphosa, a keen cattle breeder, denied wrongdoing and said the $580,000 was the proceeds of a sale of prized buffaloes.

His political opponents accused him of a tax dodge or money laundering and called for his resignation.

But in 2022, Parliament voted against starting impeachment proceedings.

Now, the country's highest court has ruled that was a mistake and ordered that an impeachment committee be set up to investigate.

Roma poses political future now hangs in the balance.

Kate Bartlett, NPR News, Johannesburg.

Local media reported South Africa's president, Cyril Ramaphosa, said Iran must sit the exercises out over concern about antagonizing the U.S.

However, Iran did take part in the drills, and the government is now investigating why the president's orders were ignored.

Iranian vessels have been in South Africa as part of a maritime exercise that also includes Russian and Chinese ships.

The countries are all members of the BRICS group of developing economies.