President Cyril Ramaphosa has successfully asked a South African court to pause impeachment proceedings against him over allegations of hiding $580,000 in stolen cash at his rural home.

The Western Cape High Court granted the request, stopping a parliamentary committee from holding a public hearing until Ramaphosa finishes reviewing a 2022 report that accused him of potential misconduct.Ramaphosa denies wrongdoing, claiming he reported the theft to police and the money came from selling livestock.The case stems from a 2020 break-in at his Phala Phala farmhouse, where cash was allegedly stolen.A former spy chief filed the complaint, accusing Ramaphosa of hiding a $4 million robbery.Despite opposition claims he's evading accountability, Ramaphosa stressed respect for judicial independence.If proceedings continue, it would be the first impeachment case against a sitting South African president.The court will review whether to overturn the 2022 report in September.

Previously, the National Assembly rejected impeachment efforts, but the Constitutional Court overturned that vote, leading to the current committee setup.