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The Guardian - UK
The Guardian - UK
World
Jason Burke

South Africa’s Farmgate scandal: what is it and why does it matter?

Cyril Ramaphosa’s Phala Phala game ranch in Limpopo province
The scandal centres on a theft from Cyril Ramaphosa’s Phala Phala game ranch in Limpopo province. Photograph: AP

Who is in trouble?

Cyril Ramaphosa took power as South Africa’s president in 2018 and led the ruling African National Congress party to a general election victory a year later. He campaigned on an anti-corruption platform, attracting much support after the turbulent nine-year rule of his populist predecessor, Jacob Zuma, who was forced out by a series of scandals. Ramaphosa, 70, has since struggled to push through much-needed reforms and has faced fierce resistance from Zuma loyalists.

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