South Africa: ANC says it will block efforts to impeach Cyril Ramaphosa

Ruling party's decision is a relief for the country's president after doubts about his political future

South Africa's ruling African National Congress party has said it will block attempts to impeach the country's president, Cyril Ramaphosa, at a crucial vote in parliament on Tuesday, providing relief to the embattled leader after days of uncertainty about his political future.

Ramaphosa launched legal action on Monday to challenge a report handed over last week by an independent panel appointed by parliament that accused him of serious misconduct after the theft from his private game ranch of somewhere between $500,000 (410,000) and $5m in cash almost three years ago.